The Highest Class about Quality of Silver, Old Methods and Incredible Hand Tools Still being Used 

The Highest Class about Quality of Silver, Old Methods and Incredible Hand Tools are Still being Used, The Epitome of Beauty and Durable Besides.
#silverware #oldmethod #handtools
Hammering Craftsman: Kawachi Mitsuak (河内光明)
Metal Engraving Craftsman: Kotaki Yoshiharu (小滝美治)
Kiribame Craftsman: Nishiyama Massugu (西山真直)
Finishing Craftsman: Hara Kinshiro (原金四郎)
Tokyo-ginki is known as the Japanese masterpieces made of silver.
Gin and ki are silver and shape in Japanese respectively, and Tokyo (in particular, Taito-ward) is the main producing center at present.
It may sound strange that Japan has a specialty in that area, for silverware seems something for nobles in Europe in the middle Ages. However, the history of silver in Japan can trace back to even the year 916 or possibly more and Japan was one of the biggest producing countries of silver. Tokyo-ginki is such a historical artifact.
Tokyo-ginki is really famous for the shine, which lasts very long. Why is it everlasting? Actually, there is a qualification for silver to be the material of Tokyo-ginki; it should be 92.5 % purity.
The Japan Mint classifies silver into 5 grades, 100% purity, 95%, 92.5%, 90% and 80%. The class of Tokyo-ginki is at least the third, but this never mars the elegance of this art; actually, silver is so soft that 100% purity is really fragile. Therefore, the artisan combined silver with other metals to make it much more durable.
On the other hand, ISO 9202 and JIS H6309 place 3 grades about quality of silver, 92.5% purity, 83.5%, and 80%. In this criterion, the Tokyo-ginki belongs to the highest class.
By the way, even so, the silver of Tokyo-ginki sometimes tarnishes because of oxidization. In this case, put toothpaste on dry cotton and rub the surface lightly with it. After that, clean the surface with a cloth, and the shine will come back.
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You may worry about how to distinguish Tokyo-ginki from other silver works. Yes, it seems really difficult to tell them from the others without the profound knowledge - but don’t worry. Actually, the Association of Tokyo-ginki made an institution to certify Tokyo-ginki: the real Tokyo-ginki has a hallmark on it.
The hallmark is impressed to certify that the piece is authentic Tokyo-ginki and of high-quality silver, and this also helps many common people purchase safe silvers (bad metal affects your skin badly, you know).
Of course, due to this mark, Tokyo-ginki is getting more and more renowned as a brand. The more famous Tokyo-ginki becomes, the more trustworthy it gets. As getting more trustworthy, the brand will become more prestigious and so will the artisans.
The hallmark is also an embodiment of the pride of the artisans; every hallmark of Tokyo-ginki requires other marks of the artisan himself to clarify who made the piece. Therefore, they can’t make a lukewarm piece.
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► Where to Buy & More Information
Tokyo Ginki - Tokyo Gold and Silver Industry Cooperative Association (東京銀器・東京金銀器工業協同組合)
Address: 2 Chome-24-4 Higashiueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0015, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3831-3317
Website: www.tokyoginki.or.jp/
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Tel: 03-3873-4653
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