The name Kanazawa, which literally means marsh of gold, is said to be originated from a legend that the peasant Imohori Togoro who washed gold dust in a local marsh.
The history of gold leaf production dates back to the end of 16th century but it was restricted to be produced in Edo (Tokyo today) and Kyoto at the time. Kanazawa, with the suitable climate, temperature, humidity, water, and highly skilled craftsmen was only revived publicly in the second half of the 19th century.
Today, over 98% of the gold leaf was produced in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Japan.
When you visit Kanazawa, you will see a lot of gold leaf products and you may experience making a lacquer ware with gold leaf yourself. It’s fun!
Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa city is the place where you can find a concentration of of shops selling all kinds of products made of gold leaf. 金澤市的東茶屋町有很多出售金箔的商店。You may find all kinds of ornaments, lacquer ware, jewelry and skin care products using gold leaf. 店內可以找到各式各樣的金箔產品，包括擺設、漆器、首飾和護膚品。Traditionally, gold leaves are widely used for decorating buddhist statues, screens, plates and paintings. 一直以來，金箔都有使用在佛像、屏風、畫和漆器的裝飾碟上。In Kanazawa, you may find gold leaf on every single products. This is the gold leaf soap. 在金澤，想得出的產品都可能有金箔。這是金箔肥皂。Gold leaf tea. 金箔茶。Golden Ebisu, the god of fortune. It’s great for business. 金惠比須。金財神，快快買個回家。 Hyakuman-san (Mr. One Million). He is Ishikawa Prefecture’s mascot to celebrate the launch of Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tokyo in 2013. He has incorporated the unique handicraft of Ishikawa in his body. Cute! 百萬先生。他是石川縣興祝2013年金澤至東京的新幹線的吉祥物，身上有代表石川縣的傳統手工藝。很可愛！Gold Leaf Sakuda was one of the gold leaf shops where you can watch the demonstration of making gold leaf as well as to make your own lacquer ware souvenir with gold leaf. 位於東茶屋町的さくだ金箔屋提供金箔示範及體驗服務。你可以親手製作一個金箔漆器做手信。First, you pick a lacquer ware you want. Then draw the patter you want on a sticker. 首先選一個喜歡的漆器，可以是盒子、鏡子、筷子。然後在這塊貼紙上畫出你的設計。After you finish your pattern, stick it onto the lacquer ware. The “exposed are is where the gold leaf goes. 做好設計，就可以貼在盒子上，紅色的雕通部份將會貼上金箔。Done! 時間關係，做好了！There are quite a lot to see in Higashi Chaya District. In the court yard of Hakuaza, you will find this Golden House. 東茶屋町有很多商店和茶屋可以慢慢逛，在「箔座」的中庭就設有這座黃金屋「黄金の蔵」。It’s 24K Gold inside! 室內是24K 金箔做的，名乎其實的金屋！When you come visit the area, don’t miss the gold leaf ice cream. Please remember to eat it in the store. Eat and drink in Higashi Chaya District is prohibited. 來到金澤當然不要錯過吃一杯金箔雪糕啦。但緊記只能在店內吃，東茶屋町路上是禁止飲食的。
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