Did you know what kinds of traditional Japanese woodcrafts exist? With around 70% of its land covered by forests, Japan is blessed with a wide variety of trees, allowing for the creation of various wooden crafts such as cabinets and tableware. However, for the Japanese, trees are not merely resources. Since ancient times, trees have been believed to house spirits, and in many places, people would offer prayers before cutting them down. In this article, we will introduce traditional woodcrafts that have been carefully crafted by artisans in a culture that deeply respects trees.
What Are Japan's Traditional "Woodcrafts"?
One of Japan’s traditional crafts, "woodcrafts and bamboo crafts," refers to items made using wood materials. Some of these crafts are made solely from wood, while others primarily use wood but incorporate other materials as well. There are also crafts that mainly use bamboo. In this article, we will focus on woodcrafts that are made entirely or primarily from wood.
Traditional Woodcrafts Rooted in Japanese Regions
Toyooka Kiryū Zaiku (Hyogo Prefecture)
Toyooka Kiryū Zaiku is a traditional craft passed down in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its origins trace back as far as the early 1st century. During the Edo period, the local feudal lord implemented an exclusive sales system, purchasing these crafts in bulk for sale, which helped establish them as a well-known specialty of Toyooka. The raw materials include willow and rattan, and the most representative products are willow trunks and baskets. These handcrafted items are meticulously woven by artisans, showcasing the natural warmth and flexibility of organic materials. The techniques developed in the Edo period are still preserved today, and these crafts continue to be cherished as practical and aesthetically pleasing household items.
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Odate Magewappa (Akita Prefecture)
Odate Magewappa is a traditional craft produced in Odate City, Akita Prefecture. Its history dates back to the Edo period when the local feudal lord encouraged lower-ranking samurai to make magewappa as a side business to help alleviate poverty in the region. This craft is characterized by its use of straight-grained wood from natural Akita cedar, as well as other types of cedar and cypress, resulting in lightweight and resilient products with beautiful wood grain patterns. Common products include bento boxes, trays, and water pitchers, all of which highlight the natural warmth of wood and the refined craftsmanship of artisans. Since 2013, the cutting of natural Akita cedar, which has become increasingly scarce, has been prohibited. However, research is underway to utilize cultivated cedar for continued production.
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Hakone Yosegi Zaiku (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Hakone Yosegi Zaiku is a traditional craft produced in Odawara City and Hakone Town in Kanagawa Prefecture, characterized by intricate geometric patterns that utilize the natural colors of different types of wood. The crafting process involves multiple steps. First, artisans create several "tane-gi" (seed wood) by bonding together small pieces of differently colored wood. Then, they combine these seed woods—either with matching or contrasting patterns—to form "tane-ita" (seed boards), which are shaved into thin, paper-like sheets. These sheets are then applied to boxes, small chests, and other items to complete Hakone Yosegi Zaiku. Nowadays, some products are made directly from these seed boards, such as small boxes and tableware, showcasing a wide variety of artisan techniques.
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Sashimono
Sashimono refers to wooden crafts made by joining pieces of wood without using metal nails. The name is said to originate from the method of "sashi-awaseru" (joining wooden boards) or from the frequent use of "monosashi" (measuring rulers) in the craft. Its history dates back to the Heian period (794–1185), and over time, two distinct styles emerged—Kyo Sashimono in Kyoto and Edo Sashimono in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
Edo Sashimono
Edo Sashimono flourished during the Edo period when the Tokugawa shogunate gathered craftsmen into dedicated artisan districts to develop handicrafts. Among these artisans were sashimono craftsmen, who specialized in wood joinery, a trade that branched off from traditional carpentry. Unlike Kyo Sashimono, which evolved to cater to the imperial court and the tea ceremony, Edo Sashimono developed to serve samurai, merchants, and kabuki actors. This style is known for its sleek, refined design that highlights the natural wood grain while minimizing excessive ornamentation. The sturdy construction is another defining feature, with skilled artisans using chisels and knives to create pieces that can withstand decades of use.
Kyo Sashimono
Kyo Sashimono is a traditional woodworking craft that embodies Kyoto’s rich heritage and artisan skills. It originated in the Heian period, and by the Muromachi period, specialized sashimono craftsmen had emerged. As the art of the tea ceremony flourished, so did the techniques of Kyo Sashimono, refining its craftsmanship. This style is broadly categorized into "chodo sashimono" (furniture sashimono) and "chado sashimono" (tea ceremony sashimono). A representative example of chodo sashimono is furniture made from paulownia wood, known for its excellent moisture and heat resistance. Meanwhile, tea ceremony sashimono pieces include tea utensils crafted from materials such as paulownia, cedar, mulberry, and zelkova, featuring elegant detailing. While some items preserve the delicate beauty of natural wood grain, others are enhanced with lacquer coatings, maki-e (gold or silver lacquer decorations), or gold leaf embellishments.
Tansu (Traditional Japanese Chests of Drawers)
Tansu, wooden chests used for storing folded clothing, are believed to have originated in the early Edo period. Before that, people stored clothing and household goods in box-shaped storage units. However, after 1673, stores selling clothing to the general public increased, leading more common people to own garments and requiring furniture with greater storage capacity. At the same time, the distribution of wood materials such as paulownia, cedar, and cypress improved, making planks more affordable and widely available. This development, along with advancements in woodworking techniques, contributed to the widespread use of tansu.
Iwayado Tansu (Iwate Prefecture)
Iwayado Tansu, produced in cities such as Oshu and Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, is crafted from zelkova and paulownia wood. Its origins trace back to the late Edo period (late 18th century), when the lord of Iwayado Castle initiated research on commercializing wooden furniture. These chests are known for their deep, refined lacquer finish that grows richer with age, along with their robust, beautifully hand-engraved iron fittings and Nambu iron hardware. One of their distinctive features is the presence of lockable metal fittings, which serve as a built-in safe. Additionally, some Iwayado Tansu include unique designs such as "kaidan tansu" (staircase chests), which function as both furniture and steps. The impressive weight and dignified craftsmanship reflect the skill of artisans who preserve these traditional techniques.
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Echizen Tansu (Fukui Prefecture)
Echizen Tansu has been produced since the late Edo period and developed as a traditional craft centered in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. Made from solid zelkova and paulownia wood, these chests are assembled using the "sashimono" joinery technique, which has been passed down since the Nara period, avoiding the use of nails. They are distinguished by their beautiful lacquer finish, which incorporates techniques from Echizen lacquerware, and by iron fittings crafted using traditional Echizen blacksmithing skills.
Osaka Senshu Paulownia Tansu (Osaka Prefecture)
Osaka Senshu Paulownia Tansu is made from paulownia wood, prized for its excellent humidity resistance, insect resistance, and heat insulation, as well as its durability. This craft began as a side business for farmers in the mid-Edo period and grew into a major production industry by the late Edo to Meiji periods. The wood used is solid paulownia, naturally dried for one to two years, with a thickness of at least 20mm. No metal nails are used; instead, pieces are assembled using traditional "kumitsugi" (wood joinery) techniques (*1). The boards feature straight-grain patterns (*2) that are seamlessly joined using "hagi" processing (*3), creating a smooth, unified surface. These chests are finished with a special coloring method that prevents stains and fingerprints. Even today, these traditional techniques are preserved, with various custom-made styles available, including the rounded "domaru-gata" design and models decorated with maki-e lacquer art and urushi lacquer coatings.
*1 Kumitsugi: A traditional technique for joining wooden parts without nails.
- *2 Masame: A type of wood grain where the annual rings run straight, creating an elegant pattern.
- *3 Hagi Processing: A method of aligning and bonding wooden planks with matching grain patterns to create the appearance of a single seamless board.
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Kamo Paulownia Tansu (Niigata Prefecture)
Kamo Paulownia Tansu is a traditional chest of drawers produced in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, which accounts for approximately 70% of all paulownia chests made in Japan. Its origins date back to the early 19th century. In the early Showa period, a special finishing technique called "Yasha Coating" was developed to highlight the wood grain while preserving the natural moisture- and insect-resistant properties of paulownia, resulting in the beautiful designs seen today. Another key feature is the effortless opening and closing of the drawers, despite their seamless construction, ensuring long-term preservation of stored clothing. Even today, the craft adheres to traditional techniques, using materials that undergo a three-year process of cutting, bleaching, and drying, while employing wooden joinery and pegs instead of iron nails.
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Ranma (Decorative Transoms)
Ranma refers to intricately carved wooden panels installed between the ceiling and the kamoi (upper frame of sliding doors in traditional Japanese houses). As a traditional architectural feature, ranma allows light and air to pass through while enhancing the beauty of the interior. The two major production centers of ranma are Osaka, home to "Osaka Ranma," and Toyama, known for "Inami Woodcarving." The techniques behind Osaka Ranma originated in the early 17th century, while Inami woodcarving spread to Toyama in the mid-18th century.
* Kamoi: The upper part of a Japan house when installing sliding doors such as shoji and fusuma
Inami Woodcarving (Toyama Prefecture)
Inami Woodcarving is a traditional woodworking craft from Inami, a region in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. It is distinguished by its use of camphor, zelkova, and paulownia wood, as well as its highly intricate "deep openwork carving" technique, where artisans meticulously chisel designs from both sides of the panel using over 200 types of chisels and carving knives. The craft's origins date back to the mid-18th century when a sculptor from Kyoto passed on his skills while working on the reconstruction of Zuisenji Temple. Over time, Inami Woodcarving expanded beyond temple carvings to include interior decorations in private homes, particularly for ranma. It has also evolved to include lion masks (shishigashira) used in lion dance performances, decorative folding screens, and other ornate wooden crafts. Today, artisans continue to preserve this traditional craft, contributing to temple architecture and home interiors across Japan.
*Shishigashira (Lion Mask): A wooden mask representing a lion’s head, commonly used in traditional lion dance performances.
Osaka Ranma (Osaka Prefecture)
Osaka Ranma developed in the early 17th century through temple architecture, seen in places like Shosei Shrine and Shitennoji Temple. By the mid-Edo period, it had become a popular decorative element in merchant houses. These transoms combine practicality, allowing air and light to pass through, with an elegant aesthetic that signifies status and craftsmanship. The intricate skills of artisans shine through in various styles, such as "Chokoku Ranma," which highlights the natural grain of Yakusugi cedar, and "Sukashibori Ranma," featuring delicate openwork carvings using paulownia and cedar. Other types include "Osa Ranma," made from cedar, paulownia, or cypress, and "Kumiko Ranma," known for its intricate geometric lattice patterns. The wide variety of styles is one of the defining characteristics of Osaka Ranma.
*Yakusugi (Yakushima Cedar): A type of Japanese cedar that grows at elevations above 500 meters on Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Due to its high resin content and slow growth rate, it is highly durable. While regular cedar trees have a lifespan of around 500 years, Yakusugi trees often live over 2,000 years. On the island, cedars aged over 1,000 years are classified as Yakusugi, whereas younger trees are called Kosugi.
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