Skilled artisan Masashi Miyazawa expertly creating detailed emblems using traditional engraving methods
In the heart of Japan, a tradition spanning centuries is being carefully preserved and passed down. This is the Edo chokin engraving technique, a highly meticulous and culturally significant craft that has found a modern home on the Toyota Century's phoenix emblem.
The phoenix, or "Hō-ō", symbolises dignity, elegance, and exclusivity, aligning perfectly with the car's status as a luxury symbol that sets it apart from ordinary Toyota badges. This emblem is not just a luxury adornment but a representation of Japanese heritage and craftsmanship, making the Toyota Century a masterpiece of luxury and traditional artistry.
The process of creating the phoenix emblem is a labour of love that takes about six weeks to complete. This reflects the deep commitment to artisanal detail and refinement that characterises the Edo chokin technique. Engravers at Koto Engraving Co., Ltd., the workshop responsible for the engravings, use a variety of chisels, with around 30 different chisels used for the Phoenix emblem mold. The engraving process involves tapping keenly sharpened chisels with a hammer to carve intricate designs on metal surfaces.
Masashi Miyazawa, a renowned engraver at Koto Engraving Co., Ltd., was tasked with creating a new phoenix emblem for the third-generation sedan, launched in 2018. Miyazawa aimed to make updates to the design, reflecting changes in the times, while maintaining the traditional beauty and significance of the emblem. He refined the luster of the phoenix's head, wings, foot scales, and other mirror-finish surfaces during the polishing process.
Miyazawa's father, Hideo Miyazawa, is also a master craftsman at Koto Engraving Co., Ltd. and one of the master craftsmen participating in Takumi Juku, a programme that invites retired master craftsmen to teach their techniques to current practitioners. It typically takes around 10 years to become a full-fledged engraver or polisher at Koto Engraving Co., Ltd.
The Edo chokin technique was developed by the craftspeople of the Edo period and is used to produce the metal molds that shape the Century's Phoenix emblem. The workshop that created the emblems for the second-generation car, which debuted in 1997, no longer had personnel capable of carrying on the task.
Masashi Miyazawa learned the craft of engraving and polishing by observing older craftspeople at Koto Engraving Co., Ltd. He even observed the chisel tip through a 20x magnification microscope while engraving. Miyazawa redrew the arrangement of scales and feathers on the phoenix's body numerous times until he was satisfied with the design.
The phoenix emblem on the Toyota Century is more than just a symbol of luxury. It is a testament to the enduring beauty and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese art, carefully preserved and passed down through the generations. With each new generation, the technique evolves, adapting to the times while remaining true to its roots. The result is a truly unique and timeless symbol that sets the Toyota Century apart.
The Edo chokin technique, a traditional craft, is now utilized in the manufacturing process of the Toyota Century's phoenix emblem, highlighting the intersection of Japanese heritage and contemporary industry. In the finance sector, the Toyota Century's unique symbol represents an investment in both luxury and technology.
