UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Entsuke gold leaf was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2020.
In 2014, the entsuke gold leaf production method using traditional handmade beating paper, which is indispensable for the repair of national treasures and important cultural assets, was selected as a national traditional technique to be preserved.
Subsequently, in December 2020 it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage under “traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan”, which consist of 17 fields.
Subsequently, in December 2020 it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage under “traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan”, which consist of 17 fields.
The entsuke gold leaf production method
A rare manufacturing technique indispensable for the repair of national treasures
The entsuke gold leaf production method is a traditional technique with a history of over 400 years, and it is now used only in Kanazawa.Although gold leaf is now beaten by a machine instead of by hand, traditional handmade Japanese paper is still used for beating.
However, due to a shortage in entsuke-trained craftsmen and difficulty in securing materials and tools, the production volume and number of craftsmen have been decreasing. Efforts are required to pass down the technique to future generations.
However, due to a shortage in entsuke-trained craftsmen and difficulty in securing materials and tools, the production volume and number of craftsmen have been decreasing. Efforts are required to pass down the technique to future generations.
Passing down the entsuke gold leaf production method
Entsuke gold leaf is used as decoration in various areas such as architecture, art and crafts. In particular, it is required for the repair of national treasures and important cultural assets.
However, since the production method involves complicated processes that must be performed by the hands of experienced craftsmen, it has become difficult to secure enough successors. It has also become difficult to secure materials and tools.
The production of handmade paper, which determines gold leaf’s quality, also has a number of issues such as a decrease in supply and a shortage in successors.
The preservation of the traditional entsuke gold leaf production method is vital for the preservation of Japanese traditional cultures and cultural assets.
However, since the production method involves complicated processes that must be performed by the hands of experienced craftsmen, it has become difficult to secure enough successors. It has also become difficult to secure materials and tools.
The production of handmade paper, which determines gold leaf’s quality, also has a number of issues such as a decrease in supply and a shortage in successors.
The preservation of the traditional entsuke gold leaf production method is vital for the preservation of Japanese traditional cultures and cultural assets.
Quoted from Traditional Kanazawa Gold Leaf Technique: Entsuke Gold Leaf Manufacturing Processes (Issued by the Society for the Preservation of Traditional Kanazawa Gold Leaf in Nov. 2012)
About UNESCO
UNESCO stands for The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). Its aims involve the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and raising awareness regarding the importance and mutual evaluation of intangible cultural heritage. The headquarters is located in Paris, France, and it consists of 193* member states. (*As of July 2022)
