It is not certain when the Gold and Silver Leaf first appeared in Japan, however, we can find art works decorated with it in Nara and Heian periods (8th century).
One of the most famous examples is Golden and Silver Pavilions in Ashikaga period (14th-15th century), and we can also find masterpieces of Momoyama culture (16th century) lavished with Gold and Silver Leaf. However, the production of Gold and Silver Leaf was kept under the control of the government in Edo Shogunate, and the number of Leaf makers decreased after the Meiji Restoration (19th century).

Nowadays, it is said that most of Gold and Silver Leaf is made in Kanazawa. The thickness of Gold Leaf differs depending on its purpose (decorating, eating, etc.), ranging from 0.2 to 200 micrometers.

Colored Silver Leaf is the hand-expanded metal leaf (mainly Silver Leaf) which is colored and coated with synthetic resin, dye and pigment.
The standard size is 109 millimeters squared with a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 3 micrometers. It can be colored with various colors (30-50 available colors) by taking advantage of thinness and softness of metal leaf and brightness of Silver Leaf. Coloring is performed after protective coating on both the sides, because genuine Silver Leaf is easily-tarnishable by oxidation.
For the time being, this kind of colored genuine Silver Leaf does not exist outside Japan, and only a few companies in Japan including us can do this process. Our company is trying to produce and develop many color variations which differ from other companies.

Varieties of colored Silver Leaf

++ Please visit SAMPLE to see our sample book ++

Using this technique, we produce and distribute "Shinko Silver Leaf","Sun Great Silver Leaf","Orientate Silver Leaf"and"Pastel Silver Leaf". In particular, newly-developed "Sun Great Silver Leaf" has excellent resistance to chemicals, friction and light. It also passed the light, sweat and dry-cleaning resistance tests by the inspection agency.
These new properties have enabled the use of Silver Leaf in manicure, art, interior, fashion, etc in addition to the traditional craft range (Nishijin brocade, Yuzen dyed fabrics, folding screen, Fusuma door, Kyo fans, etc). We are now looking for a new demand in the future.

"Shinko Silver Leaf"	This colored Silver Leaf was invented by our late president, Ikutaro Yamamura, which is used by traitional craft for a long time. This is very soft and suitable for powdering.
"Sun Great Silver Leaf"	Our current president's long time research and development made this item usable in a variety of areas. This item has excellent resistance to chemicals, friction and light, and is shiny even in a powdery form.
"Orientate Silver Leaf"	This Burnt Silver Leaf with marble pattern has an oriental and cool taste. No two leaves are ever the same because they are handmade one by one.
"Pastel Silver Leaf"	"Can we make cute Silver Leaf?" Such idea created this colored Silver Leaf that is not too glitter but pearly and has changed the image of Silver Leaf. You can enjoy the different aspect in the use with "Sun Great Silver Leaf".