Techniques in Focus: The Art of Mitsuro Hikime Wax

Elsa and Kumiko have dedicated the last three years to researching Mitsuro Hikime, through experimentation and collaboration, at a time when the technique is gaining interest worldwide. Discover what they learned about this ancient art form from their travels to Japan, where they worked with master artisans at the Tomoyasu School and visited a Master’s foundry on the small island of Sado. Find out how this has influenced and developed their artistic practices.

They will introduce the short course on the technique which is set to launch at the Goldsmiths’ Centre this summer and discuss their book project which explores Mitsuro Hikime’s history, techniques and influence, whilst showcasing works by Japanese artisans using this technique.
The event concludes with a Q&A session, where they will be happy to answer your questions.

Book your place on this talk to find out more and register your interest for the Mitsuro Hikime with Kumiko Kihara and Elsa Tierney short course at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

Elsa and Kumiko’s journey to Japan and time at the Tomoyasu School was funded by the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Business Catalyst (Large) Grant and the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. A second trip was funded by the Daiwa Foundation, which deepened their understanding and inspired them to share their findings.

Kumiko Kihara is a jeweller based in Oxfordshire, England, whose work is deeply influenced by her Japanese heritage and the philosophy of "Ma"- the art of embracing empty space. She specialises in the traditional Japanese lost wax technique, Mitsuro Hikime, crafting each piece by hand from natural beeswax. This intricate process creates unique, expressive lines that reflect Kumiko's emotions at the time of creation, making every piece one-of-a-kind.

Her love for jewellery began in childhood, inspired by her aunt’s elegant kanzashi hairpins worn with traditional kimonos. This early exposure to the artistry of adornment left a lasting impression on her. Kumiko’s creative journey often begins with Japanese calligraphy, where she explores the lines and spaces with ink and brush. This practice informs her jewellery, bringing movement and balance to her designs.
Kumiko's work has been showcased at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, where she shares her craft with a wider audience. Through her jewellery, she expresses both an apology and gratitude towards nature, striving for harmony between humanity and the natural world.

Elsa Tierney is an artist based in London. She is inspired by art, sculpture and artefacts that have a quality reminiscent of lost treasures. With a background in textiles, silversmithing and fine art, her works are a homage to modern artists of the 1930s encompassing her love for Art Deco, Bauhaus and Futurist design. Elsa creates small jewellery sculptures designed to be exhibited on the body.

Specialising in wax carving, a practice used for both jewellery making and sculpture and based on the ancient process of lost wax casting, Elsa explores different avenues of working with wax, giving her an alternative approach to jewellery making that encompasses her passion for art and sculpture. She has authored the book, Art of Wax published by ArtMatter on this subject, sharing her knowledge and including a chapter on the Mitsuro Hikime technique which she is now exploring in more depth for the upcoming publication on this subject. Trained in jewellery making with a Diploma in silversmithing and a degree in Fine Art at Sir John Cass & Guildhall University, Elsa incorporates her sculptural skills and combines them with traditional methods of jewellery making.

Elsa teaches wax carving on the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Jewellery Foundation Programme. She exhibits her work at Goldsmiths’ Fair. Has won gold, silver and bronze awards at the Goldsmiths’ Crafts and Design awards and has taught wax carving at the Ayokin School in Tokyo. She also teaches private one-to-one classes in her East London studio. She has taken short courses at Morley College in bronze casting, wax sculpting and mould making. She has taken three courses in lapidary stone carving with Charlotte De Syllas and numerous other courses, giving her a wealth of experience and knowledge, including travelling to Japan to learn the technique of Mitsuro Hikime at the Tomoyasu School, which she shares in this book.