Minai Torahiko (Nanshu) was born in Shiga prefecture, on December 30, 1925. In 1948, at the age of 22, he joined the Amita Damascene Factory in Kyoto
(currently Amita Co.). He was trained by the master Muto (武藤), a traditional craft expert, at Amita Damascene
Craftsmen Training School. Later on, he learned the inlaying techniques from Mr. Obata Hakutori (小幡伯鳳).
In 1965, at the age of 40, Minai receives the Mayor Prize as the best artistic craftsman in Kyoto Metal Craft Exhibition.
In 1971, Minai was invited to U.S. television in Hawaii to demonstrate the Zogan inlaying process. In 1973, as a man of merit, he won the Mayor's commendation.
In 1980, Minai, being the chief of the handcraft department in the Amita Co., was invited to the Kyoto Fair in Boston, USA, for demonstration of Damascene making. He obtained the honorable Governor's commendation.
