Gild Your Own Maneki-Neko and Postcard With Gold Leaf in a Kyoto Suite

Experience the Traditional Art of Japanese Gilding in an Elegant Suite

This experience is held at hotel kanra kyoto, located just a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station. Previously home to a vocational school, the building was renovated with a design reminiscent of Kyoto’s traditional machiya, townhouses that were both residences and places of business. Paying homage to its educational roots, hotel kanra kyoto focuses on not only being a place to stay, but also passing down the history and traditions of Kyoto.

Appreciate Kyoto’s unique elegance and traditional charm with the hotel’s machiya-inspired design

Held at a luxurious suite at hotel kanra kyoto, this experience combines the fruits of history from two Kyoto stores that have been in business since the Edo period (1603-1868). Use dazzling gold leaf from Hori Metal Leaf & Powder, a manufacturer established over 310 years ago, to gild a maneki-neko crafted by Shimada Kouen Ningyou Studio, a Gosho Ningyo doll maker established over 165 years ago. You’ll also apply the gold leaf to a postcard featuring a Kyoto-related design.

Luxuriate in the serenity of your own suite

Gold Leaf Crafted with the Delicate Senses of Skilled Artisans

In addition to temples, shrines, and fine arts and crafts, gold leaf is known for being used as a garnish for food. However, few people know how it is actually made. The process of creating gold leaf requires expert techniques; first, artisans melt bars of gold together with a miniscule amount of silver or bronze and hammer the resulting mass into a sheet with a thickness of just one ten-thousandth of a millimeter.

It’s said that gold leaf already existed in Japan from the late seventh century to the early eighth century

This valuable material comes together with the masterful techniques of artisans who sense what condition it is in, as well as the temperature and humidity on that particular day. The artisan teaching you will clearly explain the process with visual aids, helping you to understand the essence of the skills that go into creating the extreme thinness and brilliant color. You’ll also hear fascinating stories about the links between Kyoto and gold leaf.

A rare opportunity to learn about the origins of gold leaf directly from an artisan

Gild a Gorgeous Postcard with Genuine Gold Leaf

After deepening your knowledge of gold leaf, it’s time to try your hand at actually using it. Just a glimpse at its beauty is enough to be captivated, but you’ll go further by gilding two of your very own works of art. For your first piece, choose a postcard from a variety of designs related to Kyoto and the local area.

In addition to Kyoto icons like Kinkakuji Temple and the Gozan no Okuribi ritual fires, the selection of postcards includes designs from Japanese art

Applied to the postcard is a layer of glue in the shape of your chosen design. Delicately press the gold leaf’s backing paper onto the postcard and transfer the sheet. Then, use a brush to wipe away the excess gold and polish the design, which will create a dazzling postcard emanating luster and luxury.

Carefully polishing the design makes the gold appear even more brilliant

Dolls Lovingly Crafted Across Five Generations

Next, you’ll gild your very own maneki-neko. Each one is crafted by Kouen Shimada, the fifth-generation artisan of Shimada Kouen Ningyou Studio. Through the generations, the studio has produced Gosho Ningyo dolls — one of Kyoto’s many traditional crafts — which were beloved by the court nobles of the Heian period (794-1185). During this part of the experience, the artisan guiding you will also teach you about these charming dolls.

Mr. Shimada working on a Gosho Ningyo doll. Carefully crafted one by one, their cute expressions are a key feature

Mr. Shimada’s dollmaking career first began in 1980. Since then, he has won many prizes at doll exhibitions in Japan, also going on to collaborate with world-famous high-end brands and well known cafes, showing his enthusiasm for spreading traditional culture beyond Kyoto.

Use your newly-gained gilding experience to decorate a maneki-neko specially made by Mr. Shimada. Said to originate from the Edo period (1603-1868), these beckoning cats are a kind of lucky charm. Some maneki-neko might have either their left or right paw raised, while others beckon with both. However, this particular one has a raised right paw, which is said to invite good fortune in regards to money. 

Decorate your very own maneki-neko

Take in, Touch, and Try Pure Gold Leaf

In the world of traditional crafts, gold leaf is often seen on Japanese-urushi ware, fusuma panels, and kimono, but it is also used to make Gosho Ningyo dolls even more expressive. Get a taste of this tradition by gilding the bell and apron of a painted maneki-neko. While gilding these small parts may seem difficult, rest assured that you don’t need to be a professional artisan to achieve stunning results.

The dazzling beauty of the pure gold leaf is sure to enchant you

Mysteriously, despite the process being the same, each gilding brings forth a different expression. After finishing your maneki-neko, you will be able to take it home on the same day. A mere glimpse of the lucky cat gleaming as it sits in its new home is sure to bring back fond memories of Kyoto.

Relax in Your Suite with Exquisite Tea and Sweets

After gilding both pieces, it’s time to indulge in an assortment of treats, including three different desserts and seasonal fruits, as well as tea from Kyoto. In the comfort of your suite, admire Japan’s rich food culture as you enjoy the colors and aromas of each tidbit in addition to the shimmering gold leaf.

Delightful desserts garnished with edible gold leaf

Although this experience is relatively short, you’re sure to gain a true appreciation of Kyoto’s unique traditions and history by using gold leaf and learning about the culture behind it, which has been continuously passed down through the generations. Take advantage of hotel kanra kyoto’s suite to sit back and soak it all up.

Your gorgeously gilded postcard and maneki-neko will make for the perfect souvenirs for your Kyoto trip