I spent two months completing this Kohaku copper piece through meticulous hand-engraving, a process that demanded both patience and precision at every stage. Unlike many other projects, this piece could not be disassembled, which made the engraving process significantly more challenging. Every movement had to be carefully controlled, as there was no room for error on a fixed surface.
The concept was inspired by my client’s request, centered around the idea of the cycle of life and reincarnation. At the heart of the composition is the image of a Koi fish, symbolizing a presence that exists between life and death. Initially, I felt that the theme carried a rather heavy and potentially negative tone. However, through thoughtful discussion with my client, we worked together to reinterpret the concept into something more poetic, gentle, and emotionally balanced.
The final design reflects this transformation. Surrounding the Koi is a sky filled with flowing clouds and a high-hanging moon, representing life, continuity, and a sense of calm eternity. In contrast, the presence of Higanbana flowers—often associated with death and the afterlife, adds a deeper layer of meaning, creating a quiet dialogue between two opposing yet interconnected states.
Throughout the piece, I applied my signature benzjr engraving style, using fluid lines and intricate detailing to unify the entire composition. The patterns are designed to guide the viewer’s eye naturally across the surface, allowing the story to unfold gradually.
This work is not just a technical achievement in hand-engraving, but also a collaborative expression of ideas, transforming a heavy concept into something serene, symbolic, and visually harmonious.
