Kyo Zougan is a traditional Kyoto handicraft that originated in Damascus, Syria, and was introduced to Kyoto in the 8th century via the Silk Road. After the 16th century, swordsmiths adapted these inlay techniques to be used as ornamentation for swords, and the techniques ultimately became the refined and elegant art of Kyo Zougan. When the age of the warriors ended, Zougan techniques were used to make a variety of industrial artworks as well as accessories. Key steps in Kyo Zougan include carving designs into thin iron sheets, inlaying key areas with gold and silver, painting the background with lacquer, polishing the surface, and then finishing the piece by incorporating decorative hatching into the gold and silver designs. This results in products with outstanding color and detail.