Damascening Workshop – The Art of Metal Decoration
The technique, in which a rough surface is created on hard metals such as iron by engraving grooves in various directions, and thin sheets of gold, silver or other metals are then inlaid into these grooves, is known in Japanese as nunome zōgan. Literally translated, this means ‘cloth pattern inlay’.
It is assumed that this technique originally comes from Damascus (Syria), where gold and silver inlays were already being produced before the Christian era starts, which is one reason why damascening is known as ‘Damascening’ in English.
If you would like to learn this technique, the Samurai Museum Berlin, in collaboration with the artist Ray Noguchi, offers you the opportunity to try it. Under expert guidance, you will design your own coin (brass and aluminium) as a unique souvenir.
No prior knowledge of metalworking is required. The necessary materials and tools will be provided.
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Time: 10.00 & 14.00
Location: Samurai Research Centre, Clayallee 225d, 14195 Berlin
Price: € 70.00
Duration: 2.5–3 hours
Participants: maximum 10 per workshop
Age: 16 years and over
Registration deadline: November 1, 2026
Registration: [email protected]
Language: English (with German translation)
