Zogan(象嵌)

Historical background

Actually, Zogan does not originate in Japan. The technique to make Zogan was from Damascus, Syria, and transmitted through the Silk Road during the Asuka period. In the Meiji period, the art of Zogan shifted from for swords to ornaments. Today, Zogan has been applied to jewelry and traditional crafts, and younger generations are trying to find new ways.

Characteristics

Making Zogan requires two types of materials: a base material and a decorative material. Metals, wood, and ceramics are often used as the base. The base is hollowed out, and metals, wood, shells, and other materials are inserted into the hollowed-out areas as decorations. The main characteristic is combining two materials that have different colors or are of different types. Applying this, Zogan makes beautiful and unique designs.

To know more

How to make zogan

Zogan designed on

Products from the craft shop in Iwate

Where to meet

Yumekobo Inc.

20-70 Murasakino Kitakami-shi
Iwate 024-0004, JAPAN

TEL0197-68-2230
E-mail: hozuki@iwate-yumekobo.com

Open hours: weekdays, 8:30-17:00

Online store: https://store.iwate-yumekobo.com/

Direct Voice

Interview with Akiko O
She visited the exhibition held at Tokyo Big Sight in 2024. The blow is her comments.

I visited the booth of Yumekobo because I have been interested in the crafts made in Iwate since I tried shibori-zome there. Like the techniques of shibori-zome, I felt that the traditional crafts of Iwate are very well made, especially the details. The salesman said that some of the products were made from shells, so I was surprised. I thought they were painting the design on top, but they were actually shaving down the main body and attaching different parts, so it was skilled craftsmanship (職人技). It's amazing how they can do it with such thin chopsticks. Personally, I liked the coaster(?) designed with a cat. If I have the opportunity to visit Iwate again, I would like to go to the shop and buy some.

-Akiko O

References

Ford Hallam's Japanese Metalwork Channel. (2019, April 10). My approach to Hon-Zogan -- Japanese “true inlay.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i03QQcIlCSU

Harmonic. (2018, June 13). Yumekobo Iwate. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xX-yVUgsKU

IBC. (2022, October 10). Book Mark Iwate. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKhtaiQRw4

Kogei Japonica. (2025, March 13). The history of Zogan. Kogei Japonica 工芸ジャポニカ |; Kogei Japonica 工芸ジャポニカ. https://kogei-japonica.com/crafts/damascening/

Wancher. (2023, April 24). Wancher Dream Pen Zogan - Momiji & Sakura Fountain Pen Detailed Look. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E06l8hR5tIw

Wikipedia Contributors. (2025, July 7). Damascening. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascening

Yumekobo. (2025). Yumeko-bo. Iwate-Yumekobo.com. https://www.iwate-yumekobo.com/

By Kanna O

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