The Story of Silver
It is said that silver products were first produced in earnest in the Muromachi period
(1333-1573) when silver mines were discovered in various areas and new scouring methods were
introduced from overseas.
Metals can be hammered into thin plates, softened by heating or
melted to form various objects. Taking advantage of these properties of metals, armor,
tableware, Buddhist altars, and ornaments have been made from gold, silver, copper, tin, and
iron since ancient times.
In ancient Egypt and China, the production of silver was low, and silver was said to be more precious than gold. In the Roman era, around the 5th century A.D., silver production increased, and silverware was highly prized.Silverware was highly prized and became an indispensable part of the banquets of the nobility.
In Europe and the United States, silverware was favored, and wealthy families were said to have magnificent silverware. For this reason, there is a saying in England, "be born with silver spoon in one's mouth," referring to children who are born into wealthy families or who are born into good fortune.
The quality of Japanese silver products became known to the people of the world at the World Exposition held in Paris in 1867. With the Meiji Restoration, many vases crafted in a rich Japanese style were produced in Tokyo and exported from the port of Yokohama. After the war, as more and more foreigners came to Tokyo, the demand for silver products such as spoons, forks, and trinkets increased, and Tokyo is now a major producer of silver products. The term "pure silver" refers to silver that is at least 99.9% pure silver.
