Design

Whatever one is making, the first thing that is necessary is a design. This of course is also the case with decorative metal fittings. Frieze rails of predetermined dimension are an exception, but in the case of metal fittings for gable bargeboards and suchlike, it is first necessary to place a sheet of paper against the architectural element and trace its outline (this we call "katatori", or "taking a pattern").

Working with the outline, we then make a design for the decorative metal fitting to be fixed to that member, and draw it up (the design phase). The idea for the design may of course include something new, or it may involve the complete restoration of an original object, or the re-creation of a lost decorative metal fitting. The finished drawing is then copied onto paper treated with the astringent juice of persimmons to strengthen it, and if there is to be openwork, the open areas are cut out. If on the other hand the design is to be solid chased or embossed decoration, a template is made by pricking through the paper following the lines of the design (preparation of the template).

This work, which is the bases for all that follows, not only involves a high level of dimensional accuracy, it also requires research into the period as demanding as the designs are elaborate, and a creative spirit capable of expressing the current age as well as past ages.