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Core Kyoto
Season 6 · Episode 18
The Culture of Gold Leaf: Gossamer Layers Beget Profound Beauty
0.028mNovember 1, 2018
Gold leaf is just 0.1 micron thick, and almost translucent, but it has a lasting luster. Gilt craftsmen utilize its qualities to accent brocade, lacquerware, and Buddhist structures and statues. In the ancient court, a soft and muted finish was favored over glitter and gloss, and this cultivated a Kyoto aesthetic. Today tradition is a stepping stone to new art forms, while gold flakes embellish sake, coffee, and traditional sweets. Discover the gleaming appeal of gold leaf culture in Kyoto.
Episodes
- Episode 1Kurama: Mystical Land of Legends
- Episode 2Fabric Pieces: Honoring the Past
- Episode 3Celebrating the New Year: With Reverence and Gratitude
- Episode 4An Artistic Lineage: Nurturing a Painting Tradition
- Episode 5Bubuzuke: A Dish Inspired by Frugality
- Episode 6Maiko Hair Ornaments: A Classical Culture of Kawaii
- Episode 7Yasurai Matsuri: Town Elders' Prayers Embodied in Flowers and Dance
- Episode 8Dynastic Arts & Crafts: The Pursuit of Heian Peace and Beauty
- Episode 9Mirei Shigemori: The Ageless Modernity of the Rock Garden
- Episode 10Kyokusui-no-Utage: Poetry with Classic Heian Elegance
- Episode 11Satoyama Living: Country Customs Sustaining the Ancient Capital
- Episode 12Japanese Pepper: The Zesty Spice of Kyoto Cuisine
- Episode 13Tatami: The Flooring Underlying Japanese Culture
- Episode 14Folding Fans: Cooling Accessories Encapsulate Elegance
- Episode 15The Matsuage Festival: Keeping the Fire Tradition Alive
- Episode 16The Artisans for the Deities: Enduring Skills and Devotion
- Episode 17Kyoto Cosmetics: Secrets for Drawing Out Inner Beauty
- Episode 18The Culture of Gold Leaf: Gossamer Layers Beget Profound Beauty
- Episode 19Kyoto Swords: Splendor That Dispels Evil Spirits
- Episode 20End of the Samurai Era: The Capital Survives Turbulent Times