Ichii Ittobori is a wood carving art produced mainly in Takayama City in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Its greatest characteristic is that it uses ichii (Japanese yew), the prefecture's official tree, entirely without coloring, letting the wood's natural grain and hues speak for themselves. It is said to have begun in the late Edo period when Matsuda Sukenaga, a netsuke carver from Takayama, took note of the beauty of ichii wood grain and began carving frogs, turtles, animals, and other subjects, making full use of the sharp marks left by chisels and small knives. Ichii wood has a striking contrast between its whitish outer layer, called 'shirata,' and its reddish inner layer, called 'akata,' and skillfully carving to bring out this two-toned contrast creates the craft's distinctive sense of shading. Designated a national Traditional Craft in 1975, carvers centered in Takayama City continue to pass down the technique today.
Origin
The roots of Ichii Ittobori are said to lie in the skills of the 'Hida no Takumi' (Hida craftsmen), who were active in building temples and shrines in the capitals of Nara and Kyoto. In the late Edo period, Matsuda Sukenaga, a netsuke carver from Takayama, is said to have directly originated Ichii Ittobori by taking note of the beauty of ichii wood grain and carving frogs, turtles, animals, and other subjects while making full use of the sharp marks left by chisels and small knives.
History
After Matsuda Sukenaga, carvers developed a style that eschewed coloring and made the most of the wood's natural beauty, producing a wide range of works including ornaments, netsuke, and tea ceremony utensils. As this wood carving art, which carries on the tradition of the Hida craftsmen, gained increasing recognition, it was designated a national Traditional Craft by the then Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1975.
Features
The greatest characteristic of Ichii Ittobori is that it uses no coloring at all, letting the natural grain and hues of ichii wood speak for themselves. Ichii wood has a striking contrast between its whitish outer layer, 'shirata,' and its reddish inner layer, 'akata,' and carvers use dozens of different carving knives to sharply carve out the boundary between these red and white tones, creating a distinctive sense of shading and three-dimensionality.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Cutting the wood
The wood block is cut from a raw ichii log to match the shape of the intended work.
- 2
Rough carving
The overall shape is roughly carved out with carving knives, and the overall balance is adjusted.
- 3
Finish carving
Dozens of different carving knives are used to carve the boundary between the red and white wood tones and the shading of fine details.
- 4
Polishing
Without any coloring, the wood surface is polished to bring out its natural luster and complete the piece.
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Artisans & Workshops
谷口彫刻
A wood carving workshop in Hida-Takayama. The first-generation Taniguchi Kazusada, the second-generation Taniguchi Denko, and Taniguchi Horin - three carvers - continue to create Ichii Ittobori works, putting their heart into every single cut.
Official site →東勝廣
A carver from Hida-Takayama who entered the world of carving at the age of 15. He has worked on festival float carvings, temple and shrine carvings, dolls, and more, and has exhibited at exhibitions such as the Nitten. He has received the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare's Award for Contemporary Master Craftsmen.
How to Buy
- Taniguchi Choukoku Online Shop
- The official e-commerce site operated by Taniguchi Choukoku for Ichii Ittobori. It offers one-of-a-kind works crafted by the workshop's carvers.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
飛騨高山まちの体験交流館
岐阜県高山市上一之町35-1
Free admission. Between 10:00 and 15:00, visitors can watch demonstrations of Ichii Ittobori carving and take part in workshops to carve netsuke or paper knives (inquiry required).
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