keribori 蹴彫

A line-engraving technique used in metal carving, which consisted of sequences of fine dots. The name keribori means kicken graving and was so called because the chisel was not drawn smoothly across the metal, but inserted in a series of small digs, or 'kicking' movements. The line-engraving technique known as *kebori 毛彫 consisted of continuing lines. The dotted lines were made with a chisel called namekuri なめくり and were wedge-shaped to create a very delicate effect. The keribori technique was first used in the Han dynasty China. It was first used in Japan in the Nara Period and flourished in the Heian period. One example is the design on the box holding the Buddhist Sutras *kyōbako 経箱 in Enryakuji 延暦寺, Shiga Prefecture.