The production and application of Japanese alloys and patination.

The Western tradition of metal patination and colouring is based on the use of a small range of metals and alloys which are coloured by the application of a wide range of patination solutions. In contrast to this, Japanese metalworkers developed a wide range of irogane alloys which are coloured with a single patination solution (the niiro eki or boiling colour solution). This approach allows different alloys to be combined in one piece and patinated, producing a multi-coloured piece of metalwork.

Both alloy production and niiro patination are difficult procedures. Alloys often contain flaws such as air blisters and cracks. The niiro patination is also often flawed, with the surface colour of the workpiece streaked or patchy. It is frequently necessary to repeat work again and again, until a satisfactory result is obtained. It is my aim in this study to develop an understanding of the fundamental process involved in niiro patination, and to develop reliable techniques and procedures for alloy production and patination.

The research is practice-led, my studio work will continue throughout the study. Technical research will feed into, and from, this studio work. There is a tension between the relatively easy testing of small samples and the richer evaluation that is obtained through testing alloys and patination in actual studio work. I will move between the testing of samples, and testing in studio work, as a way of isolating the most interesting possibilities. I will create a new body of studio work developing the present use of irogane alloys and niiro patination in my work.

The research is grounded in Japanese and Western research into traditional Japanese materials and metalworking techniques. It builds on the tacit knowledge of traditional metalworkers while drawing on modern material science to provide technical explanations to the underlying problems. The proposed body of research will look outside traditional practice to find solutions to problems of reliability.

The research will be located at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) using the facilities and expertise of the Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) and the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI). There is a strong team of highly experienced and internationally recognised Metalwork and Jewellery staff at ADRC to support my research. MERI has the background of precious metals research, and the equipment and materials characterisation techniques essential to support this research.

The research will be evaluated through my studio work, drawing on my experience of using traditional techniques in Japan, and through a masterclass at SHU and Tokyo Geidai. The masterclass will function as both dissemination and feedback, testing the reliability of the materials and processes outside my working practice while enabling the expansion of creative applications. The research will also be disseminated through international conference and journal papers, and a regular exhibition program. An approach will be made to publishers to propose a book on Japanese alloys and patination. The University website will be utilized for the publication of papers, exhibited works etc. Commercial collaborators will be sought through SHU to exploit any materials or processes that are developed.

The research program will allow me to significantly advance knowledge of technical issues relating to irogane alloys and patination, and to complete a major body of work based on this new research. This research will be a great contribution to the understanding of Japanese metalsmithing techniques, providing information and solutions to the problems faced by contemporary metalsmiths working with these materials, while also widening the area of possible applications and expression. This research will be of interest to metalsmiths, product designers, the metal finishing industry,and the materials science community.