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.

[@SusanS588]

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

[@MrZabao]

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

[@Kotifilosofi]

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]

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

[@ledevin2304]

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

[@furerorban9324]

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

[@newfineart]

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

[@tiefblau2780]

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

[@INFINITEVOID7099]

then they are gonna steal it

[@zenhydra]

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.

[@michaelbokrosh7374]

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]

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]

​@@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]

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]

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]

​@@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!

[@jcortese3300]

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]

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]

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

[@Pizzagulper]

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]

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

[@patricknavin2189]

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.

[@valeriebrincheck6034]

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

[@DragonsAndDragons777]

Insane to think that each of those strips were hand placed

[@360.Tapestry]

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

[@yul498]

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

[@artbanks27]

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

[@unvergebeneid]

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.

[@paulspencer2542]

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]

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]

Pure Magic …

[@chasejones8212]

It's a paper weight🙄

[@somewhereyouarent]

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

[@360.Tapestry]

@@chasejones8212 no need to describe your life to us

[@whale1286]

[@ThisDirtyWhiteBoy]

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.

[@annakeye]

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

[@causewaykayak]

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.

[@Jaykay586]

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

[@georgejaparidze]

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

[@shogun2215]

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]

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

[@interestings7866]

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

[@madcatz3d]

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

[@lisanidog8178]

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

[@adamkassemtv]

Bloody brilliant

[@360.Tapestry]

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

[@theflyingfool]

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

[@mike7755]

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.

[@watrgrl2]

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.

[@madelinegrudens]

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

[@lenwenzel7440]

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

[@Bobby-ei7xp]

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

[@momerathe]

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

[@user-wc8gi7bp6q]

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!

[@eewilson9835]

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

[@Jdub6580]

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.

[@bling-182]

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

[@360.Tapestry]

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

[@user-oz3hs9nh4z]

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

[@steevemartial4084]

Her work is truly awesome

[@themightysquid]

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

[@bernstock]

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

[@_medeio]

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.

[@Zaaphod]

Whatever you are doing, there is an Asian kid who does it better. This is absolutely stunning and most unique masterpiece I have ever seen. Well done and thank you. You made my life a bit richer.

[@Just_Sara]

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!

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

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

[@coylewho]

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

[@OnyxIdol]

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

[@ladygardener_3171]

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‼️ ✨

[@DavidKAnderson]

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

[@artofescapism]

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

[@Jolie_sailor]

Very special. And a wonderful lady!!!!

[@DragosDomnara]

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

[@vladimirzarkov6777]

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.

[@evfast]

This is what the enterprise of living is about.❤

[@kaldrazadrim]

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

[@kevin-haggerty-khmp]

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

[@charlesblithfield6182]

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

[@colinsmith6116]

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

[@AW-vi3df]

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

[@rafaelnunesduarte]

Incredible

[@465maltbie]

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]

Wow! Just fantastic! Amazing workmanship and technique!

[@Clyne-sv4hd]

Her work is fantastic....👍

[@Kaalokalawaia]

When I saw that little glass boat I immediately thought of the same thing she described. Playing with leaf boats in drains as a child in Hawaii. Watching them sail down our little water canals. She definitely achieved her vision, because I saw the exact same thing in her art.

[@jensend.1477]

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

[@user-32941]

Incredible.. true craftsmanship.

[@damianbancks7144]

Absolutely stunning work. Inspiring. And a wonderful film.

[@jaromir_kovar]

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

[@dreamup8431]

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

[@michael2305]

astonishing artwork, I'm blown away.

[@reamdelrey]

I’m in awe and speechless. ❤

[@leosrule5691]

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.

[@CorentinHarbelot]

Magnificent work. Timeless piece. Thx for sharing!!

[@buyunostore]

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........

[@jdmjesus6103]

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

[@annwitten4359]

Breathtaking piece!

[@deborahduthie4519]

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

[@princequestly2218]

Such beautiful intricate work.

[@olivierbolton8683]

Wonderful....truly bewitching in its perfection.

[@timeenoughforart]

To manipulate gold leaf on that scale is miraculous. Any breath, breeze, static electricity, and the stuff goes flying. Cutting it that small is out of the question for us normal humans. Beautiful.

[@user-wo8vy7qg8z]

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]

Yamamoto Akane's leaf boat is sublime.

[@harryjones5260]

really profound. thankyou Yamamoto.

[@peacetaro8007]

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

[@purplevampireanime]

absolutely stunning work on every level.

[@master00booya]

Incredible! Respect to the master!

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

Je suis profondément touché par l'engagement, la simplicité et la générosité de cette artiste, qui fait battre plus fort le ❤ de ceux qui approchent, ne serait-ce que de loin, ses travaux 🎨, dignes de traverser les âges 🙏

[@SICresinwrks]

Gorgeous work! What a talented lady!!

[@mikeharrington5593]

Beautiful creation of perhaps a priceless artefact

[@diegoarriaza7731]

AT LAST!! Beautiful modern art

[@Udocoffee9]

日本の良さの真髄の一つですね素敵です

[@vipertwenty249]

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

[@colvingenealogy]

Stunning artistry.

[@qworky902]

So nice to see a real artist these days

[@racereadypowerhouse]

This work is just stunning.

[@ravendon]

Stunning art!

[@ike0072]

She is next level. Beautiful.

[@massoodn9410]

Absolutely breathtaking 😊

[@ecg9645]

I was thinking the same thing... when I was little I would make leaf boats just to float down streams... especially when it rain hard. Akane skulpture is one a kind. just out of this world! Amazing!