Decoration techniques of the Mazarin Chest: Raden, hyomon and kanagai

The borders on the exterior of the Mazarin Chest are decorated with a combination of  maki-e, raden (shell inlay), and metal foil techniques (hyomon and kanagai).  These are techniques in which silver, gold or tin foil are cut to shape and fixed to the surface. The term hyomon describes the use of thick foil, whilst kanagai refers to the use of thinner foil. The Mazarin Chest has metal foil decoration applied in several different ways.

The traditional method whereby metal foil previously cut to shape is applied to a flat urushi surface has been used for the wheel roundels of the border. A novel technique with no known precedent was used for the gold foil checkering and silver foil fret pattern of the border. Strips of gold or silver foil were applied over the urushi surface, the adhesive allowed to dry, and then patterns cut out of the foil.