Metal leaf types and sizes
Metal leaf types
We produce various types of metal leaf such as gold, silver, copper and platinum leaf.
In addition, gold leaf has various types, including 24K pure gold leaf and alloys containing small quantities of silver or copper.
Depending on the alloy composition, each type has a distinctive color and texture, which can be selected according to the use.
In addition, gold leaf has various types, including 24K pure gold leaf and alloys containing small quantities of silver or copper.
Depending on the alloy composition, each type has a distinctive color and texture, which can be selected according to the use.
Metal leaf alloy composition
| Karat | Gold | Silver | Copper | Platinum | Zinc | Aluminum | Tin | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Leaf | 24K | 24K | 100% | ||||||
| Gomou color | 23.74K | 98.912％ | 0.495％ | 0.593％ | |||||
| No. 1 color | 23.44K | 97.666％ | 1.357％ | 0.977％ | |||||
| No. 2 color | 23.21K | 96.721％ | 2.602％ | 0.677％ | |||||
| No. 3 color | 22.99K | 95.795％ | 3.535％ | 0.670％ | |||||
| No. 4 color | 22.66K | 94.438％ | 4.901％ | 0.661％ | |||||
| Sanbu color | 18.12K | 75.534％ | 24.466％ | ||||||
| Sada color | 14.12K | 58.824％ | 41.176％ | ||||||
| HAKUZA original metal leaf | Pure Gold Platinum Leaf (Towa color) |
99％ | 1％ | ||||||
| Pure Gold Platinum Leaf (Kuon color) |
92％ | 8％ | |||||||
| Gold leaf yamabuki color (bright yellow) |
95％ | 5% | |||||||
| Pure silver leaf | 100% | ||||||||
| Platinum leaf | 100% | ||||||||
| Brass leaf (No.3 color) | 85％ | 15% | |||||||
| Brass leaf (No.4 color) | 87％ | 13% | |||||||
| Aluminum leaf | 100％ | ||||||||
| Tin leaf | 100％ | ||||||||
The alloy compositions above are common within the metal leaf industry (excluding HAKUZA original Pure Gold Platinum Leaf)
HAKUZA original Pure Gold Platinum Leaf
We focused on creating an alloy of pure gold and platinum. In 2002, though considered difficult due to the difference between melting points, we succeeded in creating the alloy and developed two types of Pure Gold Platinum Leaf.
Although extremely close to being pure gold, towa color gold leaf posses a distinctive hue, due to its 1% platinum content. Koun color is close to champagne gold.
Pure gold platinum leaf is suitable for outdoor use, since it contains no substances that can cause discoloration.
Although extremely close to being pure gold, towa color gold leaf posses a distinctive hue, due to its 1% platinum content. Koun color is close to champagne gold.
Pure gold platinum leaf is suitable for outdoor use, since it contains no substances that can cause discoloration.
Right: Kuon color – 92% pure gold, 8% pure platinum
Metal leaf sizes
Beaten leaf is cut into a specified size. The common size is 10.9cm×10.9cm, although it may differ depending on the metal leaf type.
| Size (cm) | Main uses |
|---|---|
| 10.9cm×10.9cm (approx.) | A common size used for Buddhist altars and their fittings, and general crafts |
| 11.5cm×11.5cm (approx.) | Mainly used for Nishijin fabric |
| 12.7cm×12.7cm (approx.) | Mainly used for folding screens, temple pillars, etc. |
| 15.8cm×15.8cm (approx.) | Mainly used for Nagoya and Mikawa Buddhist altars |
| 21.8cm×21.8cm (approx.) | Mainly used for large Nagoya and Mikawa Buddhist altar doors |
