sunagata 砂型

A method of metal casting using sand. Sand was contained in a frame, and a raw clay model of the desired object was pressed into the sand. Molten metal was then poured into the depression left by the model, and removed when hard. This method was suitable for casting many duplicates of simple shapes, such as coins and mirrors, and the objects produced were of solid metal. Sunagata could not be used to cast large objects or hollow forms. The term namagata 生型, meaning raw mould, was sometimes used to refer to this method, as opposed to yakigata 焼型 meaning fired mould. The technique was introduced to Japan in the Edo period.