An engraved line need not have the same depth across its width. Tokyo’s chokin account explains katakiri through the contact between one side of the chisel edge and the metal.
Technique and structure
The craft description says the maker drives one side of the edge obliquely into the metal, leaving deeper and shallower parts in the cut. That difference creates shading within the engraved trace. The technical specification separately calls for hand engraving with a chisel suited to the method. The explanation therefore begins with the geometry of the cut, rather than attributing every variation in a photograph to a different metal or applied colour.
The underlying metal is another question
Tokyo lists gold, silver, copper and their alloys as traditional materials. It also describes drawing the design on prepared metal before engraving. This is a making account, not identification of an unexamined object’s alloy or finish.
For international readers
Ask which metal, engraving method and finish belong to the actual piece. No polishing or chemical-cleaning method is inferred from the craft name.
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日本語
東京彫金の片切彫刻：鏨の角度と彫り跡の深浅
片切彫刻は鏨の刃の片側を斜めに打ち込み、彫り跡に深浅を作って陰影を生む技法と東京都が説明しています。金・銀・銅・合金という素材の情報と、切り込む角度による表現を分けて読み、完成品の手入れは個別に確認します。