This book is a basic introduction to lost-wax casting with emphasis on jewelry making. It is designed to be used both as a textbook and a reference book and is directed primarily at beginners. Experienced casters, however, will probably find some useful ideas; they may even find some new techniques. Heavy emphasis is placed upon understanding why things are done in a particular way, rather than simply presenting a set of cookbook rules that will always work. The book is also available in a 8.5x11 inch comb-bound version for use in the shop or classroom. See ISBN 0-9679600-1-0.

Mr. Hiroshi Tsuyuki, the Japanese authority on Jewelry Wax Modeling, uses an innovative approach to teaching the technique of wax modeling. Often a process is easier shown than described in so many words. This book was conceived through the author's teaching experience -- more photos and sketches and less text resulting in less over-the-shoulder supervision. By introducing new techniques in each project, his students were able to progress more rapidly towards independence in design concepts. While preparing a model for casting and the actual casting process are adequately explained in most casting books, very little space is devoted to the design and creation of wax models. Mr. Tsuyuki presents 11 basic projects in this book, each one designed to teach the use of certain tools and types of waxes in a progressive manner as one's skills improve. Each step of every project is accompanied by a photo and text and in some cases supplementary sketches and notes are provided to clarify those particular processes. Paying careful attention to the photos, noting the demonstrator's hand position and the type of tool being used, eliminates any confusion which may result from the text. After each basic model is completed the author offers a number of sketches suggesting design possibilities using the techniques learned in the construction of the basic model. Mr. Tsyuki states that by conscientiously completing each project, the student should be well on the way to becoming a designer/modeler. This book is 112 pages and has 283 photos and illustrations.

Detailed information and photographs show how to construct equipment and jewelry, castings, molds, and patterns for jewelry and metal.

"This is the first study that adopts a comprehensive, thorough, and interdisciplinary approach toward early Chinese lost-wax castings. With more than 80 images, this book provides a study on the "norms," which are seldom questioned. By examining the reasons why Chinese founders often chose not to use the lost-wax process they had clearly mastered, the book refutes the idea that lost-wax technology is the only "right way" to cast bronzes. This study demonstrates that a "norm" is in many ways an illusion that twists our comprehension of art, technology, civilization, and history"--