©️Momentum Factory Orii
In Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture—where the art of metal casting has been handed down for over 400 years—Momentum Factory Orii is quietly redefining the very idea of “color.”
Japanese traditional crafts are known for their precision and beauty, yet it is exceedingly rare to see the birth of entirely new colors. Orii has achieved just that—hues that seem to breathe, shimmer, and move with light. Emerald greens reminiscent of deep forests, violet hazes that shift with the sun, and rose golds that glow softly with the warmth of your fingertips—each is a living color born not from pigment, but from the metal itself. Through fire, minerals, water, and human touch, Toyama’s quiet beauty is beginning to resonate across the world.
Orii’s coloring process is neither paint nor coating—it is a transformation at the elemental level, altering the very essence of the material. By precisely controlling the natural reactions of oxidation and corrosion in copper and brass, artisans draw out organic hues through time-honored techniques: niiro (boiling metals in special solutions), nukayaki (firing with rice bran paste), and ohaguro (polishing with rice-straw brushes). Temperature, humidity, and the flicker of the flame all affect the final tone—no two colors are ever the same.
Orii’s pursuit was to honor and evolve the traditional coloring techniques of Takaoka copperware, long used for Buddhist and tea ceremony utensils. By succeeding in coloring ultra-thin metal sheets—less than a millimeter thick—the studio opened entirely new creative possibilities in architecture, interior design, and art, breathing new life into a craft once on the brink of decline. Today, Orii stands as a true pioneer, guiding tradition toward the future.
What captivates architects, designers, and luxury hotels around the world is the way Orii’s metal surfaces seem almost alive. They shift in tone as light moves across them, and when touched, their gentle warmth feels unexpectedly human. This “breathing material” has inspired bespoke commissions from both Japan and abroad, establishing the Orii’s atelier as a distinct presence in the global world of design and luxury. Visitors to the atelier can witness live demonstrations by artisans and even create a small piece by themselves. It’s more than a factory tour—it’s a journey to witness the moment beauty is born, an experience traveler often describes as unforgettable.
Neither preservation alone nor innovation by itself can move the world. Momentum Factory Orii stands precisely between the two—where tradition and modernity meet—to present a new vision of beauty. In January, Orii will showcase its work at Maison & Objet in Paris, further amplifying its international presence and continuing Toyama’s quiet yet powerful revolution in metal and color.
About Toyama Prefecture:
Nestled between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps, Toyama is a hub of natural beauty, craftsmanship, and slow travel. From snowy peaks to bays that nurture a rich food culture, the region offers a window into Japan’s quieter, deeper soul.
