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Japanese Bronze-work

The art of working in bronze is a very old one in Japan. The whole process of casting is done by the artist himself, who forms his moulds from models designed in a mixture of wax and resin which is melted out of the prepared mould previous to the final pouring of the metal. By this means, castings are obtained of every description, from statues of all sizes down to the most intricate and delicate tracery, which is elaborated with scrupulous care, requiring, in some instances, months to prepare the mould. The Japanese add tin, zinc, lead, and iron to their bell mixtures. Their small bells contain copper 60, tin 24, zinc 9, iron 3. Large bells are composed of copper 60, tin 18, lead 12, zinc 6, iron 3. The mixture is called Kara-Kane. See BRONZES.