The only artist in the world to embed gold leaves in glass; kirikane | Yamamoto Akane: Making Beauty

This series celebrates the work of living Japanese artists and craftspeople.
Yamamoto Akane puts the traditional decorative technique of kirikane centre stage in her stunning glass sculptures, with painstaking precision she melds gold leaves together, cuts them into tiny strands and shapes and then uses them to create mesmerising geometric designs inspired by Buddhist sculpture decoration.
This film, sadly delayed by Covid, is the last in the Making Beauty series. It is a fitting end piece to a series celebrating the innovation, precision and beauty of Japanese Kogei.
This film series has been produced with the support of JTI.

Пікірлер: 527

  • @SusanS588
    @SusanS5885 ай бұрын

    I am not only enjoying the artworks, I’m enjoying how excited the artist is about what she is doing.

  • @MrZabao

    @MrZabao

    5 ай бұрын

    Yes, with this shy smile it’s the heart of humanity which we need around so much.

  • @Kotifilosofi

    @Kotifilosofi

    5 ай бұрын

    Everyone used to be inspired like this on the daily basis before the era of computers and entertainment we consume passively, instead of creating our own. Think of all the amazing things people of the past created, that we have no idea how to make anymore: the handcrafts, the meals, the homes, the clothes, the furniture, the art, the literature, so on and so on. In a way, our world feels "finished" and that does not satisfy our human nature which wants to explore and create.

  • @tiefblau2780

    @tiefblau2780

    4 ай бұрын

    What Karen Aspire to be but will not put in the work

  • @ledevin2304

    @ledevin2304

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm enjoying the artwork and, I can only enjoy the person who created such a marvelous piece.

  • @furerorban9324

    @furerorban9324

    3 ай бұрын

    As a glass artist of 53 years, who also creates Painstaking Lee

  • @newfineart
    @newfineart5 ай бұрын

    Thankyou to the British Museum for beautifully highlighting the work of Yamamoto Akane. She is a truly remarkable artist and human being.

  • @tiefblau2780

    @tiefblau2780

    4 ай бұрын

    What Karen Aspire to be but will not put in the work

  • @INFINITEVOID7099

    @INFINITEVOID7099

    2 ай бұрын

    then they are gonna steal it

  • @zenhydra
    @zenhydra5 ай бұрын

    Every aspect of the leaf boat sculpture is masterfully executed. What an amazing achievement. It's opportunities to experience such beauty such as this that make life worth living.

  • @jcortese3300
    @jcortese33005 ай бұрын

    I cannot believe that she can handle gold leaf so precisely -- amazing. It's more delicate than a feather -- you breathe wrong, and it's ruined. Incredible and beautiful.

  • @goldreverre

    @goldreverre

    5 ай бұрын

    That's a cutch piece, or the Japanese equivalent. Normally this would be quartered again once or maybe twice and beaten. You can see it's far heavier than regular gold leaf.

  • @xavierfranco5800

    @xavierfranco5800

    2 ай бұрын

    Also terrifyingly stressful for the artist, at least it would be for me.

  • @michaelbokrosh7374
    @michaelbokrosh73744 ай бұрын

    As a glass artist of 53 years, who also creates painstakingly perfectionist sculpture, I certainly admire her courage, her creativity as well as her thoroughness. I'm sure how she's supports herself financially throughout the R&D process as well as just the immense amount of time it takes to complete a piece would be a story in itself!

  • @kenboydart

    @kenboydart

    4 ай бұрын

    Michael, just checked out your site, fantastic work really ! I'm not sure I am understanding why its unusual for her to use gold inside glass, the Italians have been doing this for centuries . Could you set me right on this ?

  • @sentinel6059

    @sentinel6059

    4 ай бұрын

    ​@@kenboydartIt's not the fact that she uses gold in glass as a material per se. It's the specific decorative technique using hand- cut and placed gold leaf that she uses, that is unique to Japan, and that the Japanese used to decorate other materials, but has never been used in glass before.

  • @dianehghzn7670

    @dianehghzn7670

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes Absolutely thankyou for thinking of that i am so overwhelmed with the whole Art form i simply forgot all about the process and hard work it would’v taken thankyou for reminding me wow ❤🩷🙏🙏🙏🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘🇮🇩💐💙😍🌻🍀🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🌹🌏👍😍🥰

  • @brothersoulshine

    @brothersoulshine

    3 ай бұрын

    Is she part of the the Japanese National Living Treasures scheme? The gov pays people to keep certain crafts alive. It works out to about £1000/month, which might at least help keep creditors from knocking on the door.

  • @gnarbeljo8980

    @gnarbeljo8980

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@brothersoulshineMy thinking too. I'd be surprized if she isn't as she's literally the only one world wide to do this, and it's an innovative continuation of their ancient technique. It's a very important program I wish all thriving countries had in this age of the marketplace dictating everything. Her work is sublime!

  • @DragonsAndDragons777
    @DragonsAndDragons7775 ай бұрын

    Insane to think that each of those strips were hand placed

  • @360.Tapestry

    @360.Tapestry

    3 ай бұрын

    bury it. let future archeologists find it. they would write such myths

  • @Pizzagulper
    @Pizzagulper4 ай бұрын

    This is amazing. Not only is the pattern really beautiful, but under it she put colored glass so that the light passing through the top would create patterns in the glass, like sunlight cascading down, viewed from below the surface of water. I have never seen anything capture that before. It's really two art pieces in one. This is truly special.

  • @jztouch
    @jztouch5 ай бұрын

    Her sacrifices and devotion to her work is so admirable. A true artist bringing traditional techniques into the modern world. Amazing…

  • @valeriebrincheck6034
    @valeriebrincheck60345 ай бұрын

    This is absolutely worthy of being in a museum. Simply stunning work!

  • @artbanks27
    @artbanks275 ай бұрын

    Lots of Japanese artists are mixing old and new techniques to create innovative artworks. Japan is on an artistic revolution.

  • @patricknavin2189
    @patricknavin21895 ай бұрын

    The concept of having this filigree suspended in space is perfectly executed. The symbolism of the boat made me cry tears of joy. This work is a reflection of her soul, which is equally beautiful. Priceless.

  • @paulspencer2542
    @paulspencer25425 ай бұрын

    This made me cry. Such a beautiful piece, stellar amount of effort put into its creation with so much of her soul used to create it.

  • @roxyamused
    @roxyamused5 ай бұрын

    So much devotion. It kinda moved me to tears, and I'm not one hundred percent sure why. It just seems profound. I don't know if I'll ever get to go back to the British Museum to see this piece. I'm happy it exists.

  • @damianwebzyx6613

    @damianwebzyx6613

    4 ай бұрын

    Pure Magic …

  • @chasejones8212

    @chasejones8212

    4 ай бұрын

    It's a paper weight🙄

  • @somewhereyouarent

    @somewhereyouarent

    4 ай бұрын

    Definitely brought tears to my ears. The Japanese seem to have this effect on me.

  • @360.Tapestry

    @360.Tapestry

    3 ай бұрын

    @@chasejones8212 no need to describe your life to us

  • @whale1286

    @whale1286

    2 ай бұрын

  • @yul498
    @yul4985 ай бұрын

    Many thanks to The British museum team for a such amazing gift 🧧. Yamamoto Akani is a gold Goddess of the modern design.

  • @ThisDirtyWhiteBoy
    @ThisDirtyWhiteBoy4 ай бұрын

    When she 1st spoke about watching the leaf travel down the streams after a heavy rain, how many people were instantly transported back to their leaf boat days? I could smell the rain being evaporated off the street I grew up on, as I watched my little boat travel down the stream, in front of the curb, passing each house, sometimes even through pipes neighbors had buried in concrete at the beginning of their driveways for smoother transitions, until the water spilled into the sewer system. I remember having to catch my little leaf or homemade boat before it washed down into the gutter. We always thought if it went Into the gutter, it would wash out into the ocean. I can also remember how silly I felt once I got older and realized I lived 8 hours, by car, away from the Ocean, and everything we lost to the gutter was actually just washed out the next street over into an overflow pond. Brings back fantastical memories anyway. That the point of artwork in the first place, I believe.

  • @unvergebeneid
    @unvergebeneid5 ай бұрын

    Absolutely incredible work. Beautiful, elegant, delicate, and thinking how much work, craftsmanship and persistence by the artist it took to create it makes it even more wondrous. And yet she seems like such a humble person, just incredible.

  • @Jaykay586
    @Jaykay5865 ай бұрын

    The 'Leaf Boat' might be the most beautiful object I have ever seen.

  • @annakeye
    @annakeye4 ай бұрын

    What an absolutely delightful and insightful woman, Yamamoto Akane is. Such fierce yet gentle determination is as rare as the extraordinary art she produces.

  • @interestings7866
    @interestings78665 ай бұрын

    Art is the human experience conveyed through the lens of the artist’s mind

  • @causewaykayak
    @causewaykayak5 ай бұрын

    Amazing that the Museum can acquire such a wonderful object. So new but evidently carrying into our age centuries of tradition. Thanks for a lovely production.

  • @shogun2215
    @shogun22155 ай бұрын

    I would love to meet Yamamoto Akane, and tell her myself that what she has created, is the single most beautiful object, man made or otherwise, I have ever seen. It is ethereal.

  • @jameshall1300

    @jameshall1300

    5 ай бұрын

    Ethereal actually seems to describe it perfectly. So many layers of color, detail, and depth to something with such a simple shape.

  • @madcatz3d
    @madcatz3d2 ай бұрын

    Absolutely stellar production by the British Museum. Great art all around.

  • @lisanidog8178
    @lisanidog81784 ай бұрын

    Wow! Exquisite! And the artist has such a calming gentle voice.

  • @theflyingfool
    @theflyingfool5 ай бұрын

    Wow! What magnificent dedication to her art and what an exquisite piece to demonstrate her vision.

  • @360.Tapestry
    @360.Tapestry3 ай бұрын

    her approach and attention to detail is mindboggling.... who knows how many hundreds of blemished pieces that will never see the light of day that are in themselves rare, each harboring their own story

  • @adamkassemtv
    @adamkassemtv5 ай бұрын

    Bloody brilliant

  • @georgejaparidze
    @georgejaparidze5 ай бұрын

    The boat is beautiful, the story behind the boat is beautiful, but the most importantly she is beautiful as she is.

  • @watrgrl2
    @watrgrl24 ай бұрын

    That piece is beyond exquisite. It’s fascinating how the beauty of this piece is different depending on the light and angle you view it. I love art like this that shows you something different every time you see it.

  • @mike7755
    @mike77555 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing the deeper story behind the piece and her dedication to her craft, and giving me the opportunity to lightly weep through her childhood dreams of leaf boats with my morning coffee.

  • @Bobby-ei7xp
    @Bobby-ei7xp3 ай бұрын

    This is if not the most then one of the most beautiful work of art I have seen. Thanks for posting it.

  • @momerathe
    @momerathe5 ай бұрын

    Gold leaf is such a difficult material, the precision on display here is mindblowing

  • @360.Tapestry
    @360.Tapestry3 ай бұрын

    the method, the care, the precision... a symbol of japanese craftsmanship

  • @user-wc8gi7bp6q
    @user-wc8gi7bp6q4 ай бұрын

    Wow! this was just breathtaking, the work and the artist. I have travelled to Japan many times and have some idea of what Yamamoto was talking about, having been to Kanazawa and seeing incredible goldleaf works, but her Leaf Boat is even more amazing. Loved this so much!

  • @madelinegrudens
    @madelinegrudens5 ай бұрын

    Truly world class artistic talent that will influence generations and inspire imagination and innovation! Fabulous documentary!

  • @justanotherhappyhumanist8832
    @justanotherhappyhumanist88325 ай бұрын

    This is the most beautiful piece of modern art that I have ever seen.

  • @user-oz3hs9nh4z
    @user-oz3hs9nh4z5 ай бұрын

    How wonderful, thank you. Your story of the leaf touched me. Brought back memories of my own childhood.

  • @bling-182
    @bling-1824 ай бұрын

    A true master. Just hearing the process described and how she thinks, I can't help but feel excited for the work as well

  • @bernstock
    @bernstock5 ай бұрын

    Wow. I don’t even have words for how special this is. Such hard work to get to this stage. Truly moving 🙏🏼

  • @themightysquid
    @themightysquid5 ай бұрын

    A masterpiece of art, science, and the skill and dedication of a master craftswoman.

  • @Just_Sara
    @Just_Sara5 ай бұрын

    It's always the story of the artwork that helps me see why it's so meaningful, thank you for showing us what this leaf boat means to the artist!

  • @artofescapism
    @artofescapism3 ай бұрын

    What a cool piece of art- the technique, the meaning behind it, the beauty of the finished piece! Thank you for showing us this!

  • @lenwenzel7440
    @lenwenzel74404 ай бұрын

    The elements and spirit are alive in her work, and that is such a rare thing. It's no wonder she reaches for perfection.

  • @steevemartial4084
    @steevemartial40845 ай бұрын

    Her work is truly awesome

  • @Jdub6580
    @Jdub65805 ай бұрын

    Breathtaking is the only word my mind can come up with. I don't think it does this art justice tho. God I could just stare at it and move it in the light forever! The world I know and live in is forever enhanced. Akane's eye for beauty, and her skill at expressing it are transcendent.

  • @DavidKAnderson
    @DavidKAnderson5 ай бұрын

    The level of mastery here is hard to comprehend. Amazing and beautiful...

  • @kevin-haggerty-khmp
    @kevin-haggerty-khmp4 ай бұрын

    Absolutely amazing skill level on Yamamto. That is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship!

  • @CorentinHarbelot
    @CorentinHarbelot5 ай бұрын

    Magnificent work. Timeless piece. Thx for sharing!!

  • @_medeio
    @_medeio5 ай бұрын

    i watched this whole video with both hands on my head ... in awe of the amount of skill and work these pieces require. wow. just wow.

  • @kaldrazadrim
    @kaldrazadrim2 ай бұрын

    She seems like such a sweet person. Her work is beautiful

  • @coylewho
    @coylewho2 ай бұрын

    Where an artists meets the craftsperson they've always been is the intersection of masterful work.

  • @charlesblithfield6182
    @charlesblithfield61823 ай бұрын

    Amazing work! I love new ideas that reference and respect traditional techniques.

  • @DragosDomnara
    @DragosDomnara5 ай бұрын

    her website portrays much more, all of them are masterpieces. absolutely stunning works of art

  • @465maltbie
    @465maltbie5 ай бұрын

    Wow that is so beautiful, so simple and yet so amazing. If it looks that good on the screen I can only wonder what it would look like in person. Thanks for sharing this amazing artist.

  • @impunitythebagpuss
    @impunitythebagpuss2 ай бұрын

    Wow! Just fantastic! Amazing workmanship and technique!

  • @OnyxIdol
    @OnyxIdol4 ай бұрын

    this woman is living the dream, and her art is absolutely gorgeous.

  • @eewilson9835
    @eewilson98353 ай бұрын

    The studio working footage is phenomenal, I learned more about gold leaf handling, and the inspiration is a simple traveling river leaf.

  • @jaromir_kovar
    @jaromir_kovar5 ай бұрын

    It's truly beautiful. Imagine having a piece in a museum while being still alive.

  • @damianbancks7144
    @damianbancks71445 ай бұрын

    Absolutely stunning work. Inspiring. And a wonderful film.

  • @Clyne-sv4hd
    @Clyne-sv4hd5 ай бұрын

    Her work is fantastic....👍

  • @annwitten4359
    @annwitten43593 ай бұрын

    Breathtaking piece!

  • @colinsmith6116
    @colinsmith61163 ай бұрын

    Absolute beauty in glass. What a truly AMAZING talented craftswoman.

  • @Jolie_sailor
    @Jolie_sailor5 ай бұрын

    Very special. And a wonderful lady!!!!

  • @SICresinwrks
    @SICresinwrks3 ай бұрын

    Gorgeous work! What a talented lady!!

  • @reamdelrey
    @reamdelrey2 ай бұрын

    I’m in awe and speechless. ❤

  • @jdmjesus6103
    @jdmjesus61034 ай бұрын

    What a beautiful piece. I knew it was a leaf before it was said, truly a master of the craft.

  • @vladimirzarkov6777
    @vladimirzarkov67774 ай бұрын

    I saw all her artwork in her website, and I still can not comprehend that it is not done by magic. Her unique talent and skills are simply unbelievable. She is one of the artists who really create a better world.

  • @michael2305
    @michael23053 ай бұрын

    astonishing artwork, I'm blown away.

  • @ladygardener_3171
    @ladygardener_31715 ай бұрын

    This is so very Special, I feel her work is truly Magnificent, her Devotion touched my heart ❤️‼️ I loved her Story of Rain ☔️ in her childhood‼️ ✨

  • @dreamup8431
    @dreamup84314 ай бұрын

    Wow, she is beautiful, humble, and sincere. ❤

  • @user-32941
    @user-329413 ай бұрын

    Incredible.. true craftsmanship.

  • @princequestly2218
    @princequestly22185 ай бұрын

    Such beautiful intricate work.

  • @jensend.1477
    @jensend.14775 ай бұрын

    it's truly brilliant, i hope the world to see and understand the beauty of this magnificent technique

  • @evfast
    @evfast5 ай бұрын

    This is what the enterprise of living is about.❤

  • @purplevampireanime
    @purplevampireanime4 ай бұрын

    absolutely stunning work on every level.

  • @peacetaro8007
    @peacetaro80073 ай бұрын

    Holly cow. This is the pinnacle of art and craft.

  • @user-wo8vy7qg8z
    @user-wo8vy7qg8z4 ай бұрын

    What a beautiful piece. I'm afraid if I owned it I would never get anything done as I wouldn't be able to stop looking at it. Thanks for introducing us to this artist.

  • @TheMarkEH
    @TheMarkEH5 ай бұрын

    Yamamoto Akane's leaf boat is sublime.

  • @olivierbolton8683
    @olivierbolton86835 ай бұрын

    Wonderful....truly bewitching in its perfection.

  • @buyunostore
    @buyunostore3 ай бұрын

    I am really touched by this great artist. So much of her heart and soul goes into each piece. I loved what she said about Edison failing 10,000 times and how after a failed atempt she employs the Edison approach and then get's excited again and presses on. I would love to own a piece of her work. It would be an honor to have such a fine piece of art from her. I really appreciate the level of detail put into each piece and its deeply spiritual homage to nature. Well done........

  • @master00booya
    @master00booya3 ай бұрын

    Incredible! Respect to the master!

  • @massoodn9410
    @massoodn94105 ай бұрын

    Absolutely breathtaking 😊

  • @harryjones5260
    @harryjones52604 ай бұрын

    really profound. thankyou Yamamoto.

  • @diegoarriaza7731
    @diegoarriaza77313 ай бұрын

    AT LAST!! Beautiful modern art

  • @THEWORDONTECH
    @THEWORDONTECH3 ай бұрын

    Beautiful presentation and the art speaks for itself.

  • @mikeharrington5593
    @mikeharrington55934 ай бұрын

    Beautiful creation of perhaps a priceless artefact

  • @racereadypowerhouse
    @racereadypowerhouse5 ай бұрын

    This work is just stunning.

  • @leosrule5691
    @leosrule56913 ай бұрын

    The story behind the art is as beautiful as the art itself. I also could not help but notice the similarity in names Akane to Akiane, the gifted painter.

  • @krono5el
    @krono5el4 ай бұрын

    This is beyond insanity its so amazing, barely can fathom this skill level :D

  • @ravendon
    @ravendon4 ай бұрын

    Stunning art!

  • @qworky902
    @qworky9023 ай бұрын

    So nice to see a real artist these days

  • @francesquinn-escott744
    @francesquinn-escott7445 ай бұрын

    Wow. Perfect. Huge respect ❤

  • @vipertwenty249
    @vipertwenty2493 ай бұрын

    I think it's inevitable that in time her works will become of very high value indeed at auction. A true master.

  • @deborahduthie4519
    @deborahduthie45195 ай бұрын

    These techniques are taught and practiced in Dichroic Glass class. Certainly not seen executed to such an exacting degree. Well made👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

  • @paulolima6407
    @paulolima64075 ай бұрын

    That green though. Beautiful.

  • @NicolasSilvaVasault
    @NicolasSilvaVasault3 ай бұрын

    even looks like it was made by machines, absolute insanity, the amount of details put into this piece, pure art

  • @ike0072
    @ike00725 ай бұрын

    She is next level. Beautiful.

  • @Volkmannx
    @Volkmannx5 ай бұрын

    Awemazing artwork!

  • @colvingenealogy
    @colvingenealogyАй бұрын

    Stunning artistry.

  • @joesmith3829
    @joesmith38292 ай бұрын

    This is so amazing I have seen this several times. She needs an apprentice.

  • @AW-vi3df
    @AW-vi3df3 ай бұрын

    This incredible woman should be protected, and her craft should be taught around the world. She is a rare gift and unique treasure herself.❤ as a fellow artist in the field, I admire and treasure her and her craft immensely. What a rare gem indeed