Key Facts
• Kanazawa City now accounts for 100% of Japan’s gold leaf production after Shiga craftsman’s retirement.
• The Shiga craftsman was the only non-Kanazawa producer; retirement confirmed Kanazawa’s monopoly.
• Kanazawa gold leaf production began about 430 years ago, initiated by Maeda Toshiie inviting Kyoto artisans.
• Gold leaf is extended to 1/10,000 millimeter thickness, used in architecture, art, and crafts.
• Monthly production dropped from 8–8.5 million sheets in the 1970s to 0.5–0.6 million sheets recently.
• Number of gold leaf artisans fell from 20,000 at peak to about 250 today.
• The decline is mainly due to reduced demand for Buddhist altars amid lifestyle changes.
• The Ishikawa Prefecture Gold Leaf Industry Cooperative (65 members) promotes brand strength and tradition.
• Efforts focus on new product development and expanding uses, including gold leaf tea and cosmetics.
• Chairman Kazunori Sakuda emphasizes the importance of securing successors and meeting new demand.
• The cooperative reported the 100% production status to Kanazawa City and Ishikawa Prefecture.
| Aspect | 1970s Peak | Recent Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Production | 8,000,000–8,500,000 sheets | 500,000–600,000 sheets |
| Number of Artisans | Approx. 20,000 | Approx. 250 |
Summary
Kanazawa City has become the sole domestic producer of gold leaf in Japan following the retirement of the last craftsman in Shiga Prefecture. This marks a historic shift from a long-standing 99% share to full 100% production. The craft, rooted in a 430-year tradition initiated by Maeda Toshiie, involves producing ultra-thin gold leaf used widely in architecture, art, and crafts. Despite this heritage, production and artisan numbers have sharply declined due to changing lifestyles and reduced demand for traditional Buddhist altars. The Ishikawa Prefecture Gold Leaf Industry Cooperative, representing 65 companies, is committed to preserving this cultural legacy by expanding gold leaf applications into new markets such as tea and cosmetics. Chairman Kazunori Sakuda highlights the critical need to nurture successors and adapt to new demands to sustain the industry. The cooperative has officially communicated this 100% production status to local authorities, aiming to strengthen the Kanazawa gold leaf brand domestically and internationally.
