Inami Chokoku is a traditional wood-carving craft passed down mainly in the Inami district of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. It is said to have begun when Zuisenji Temple, the head temple of Inami Betsuin founded in 1390, suffered repeated fires, and during reconstruction work in the Horeki and An'ei eras (1763-1774), local carpenters learned full-fledged carving techniques from Maekawa Sanshiro, an official carver for Kyoto's Nishi Hongwanji Temple. Initially focused on ranma (transom) panels and canopy carvings decorating temple and shrine architecture, demand expanded from the Meiji era onward to transom carvings for ordinary homes, and the craft developed into a local industry known nationwide as 'Inami ranma.' Its greatest feature is the 'sukashibori' (openwork carving) technique, in which patterns are cut through using only chisels; motifs such as pine, bamboo, and plum, flowers and birds, or dragons and lions are carved in multiple layers from both front and back, producing a three-dimensional, lifelike sense of movement. Designated a METI-designated Traditional Craft in 1975, Inami Chokoku today continues to produce a wide range of items, from temple and shrine carvings to transoms and shishi (lion) heads, and the region is known as a leading production center with a large share of Japan's transom-carving output.
Origin
The origin of Inami Chokoku is said to lie in the reconstruction of Zuisenji Temple, the head temple of Inami Betsuin founded in 1390, which suffered repeated fires. During reconstruction work in the Horeki and An'ei eras (1763-1774), Maekawa Sanshiro, an official carver for Kyoto's Nishi Hongwanji Temple, taught carving techniques to local carpenters. Through this major project of temple reconstruction, full-fledged wood-carving skills took root in the region.
History
Initially the craft centered on carvings for ranma (transom panels) and canopies decorating temple and shrine architecture, but from the Meiji era onward demand expanded to transom carvings for ordinary homes, and the craft developed into a local industry known nationwide as 'Inami ranma.' A cooperative for Inami Chokoku was organized in 1920, and the craft was designated a METI-designated Traditional Craft in 1975. The cooperative marked its 100th anniversary in 2019, and today the craft continues to be applied broadly, from temple and shrine carvings to home transoms and ornaments.
Features
Its greatest feature is the 'sukashibori' (openwork carving) technique, in which the outline of a pattern is cut through using only chisels. Through the stages of rough carving, detail carving, and finish carving, the piece is carved in multiple layers from both front and back to produce a three-dimensional sense of movement. Craftsmen use a wide variety of chisels—said to number 100 to 120—chosen according to purpose, and specialize in motifs such as pine, bamboo, and plum, flowers and birds, or dragons and lions. Making a large transom can take more than three months.
Techniques
Sukashibori (openwork carving)
A technique that uses only chisels to cut away the background of a pattern, making the motif stand out in relief. Carving in layers from both front and back produces a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.
Rough, detail, and finish carving
The work proceeds in stages: rough carving to cut out the basic shape, detail carving to add shading and contours, and finish carving to refine the fine expression of the details.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Selecting and drying the wood
Wood such as zelkova or camphor is chosen according to purpose and thoroughly dried until warping and shrinkage have settled.
- 2
Sketching
Designs such as pine, bamboo, and plum, or flowers and birds, are traced onto the wood.
- 3
Rough carving
The rough shape of the design is cut out with chisels.
- 4
Detail carving
Fine details are carved to add shading and a sense of depth.
- 5
Finish carving
Techniques such as openwork carving refine the fine details, finishing the piece with a lively sense of movement.
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Artisans & Workshops
木村彫刻工房
A workshop based in Inami, Nanto City, producing a wide range of wood carvings, from temple and shrine carvings to transoms and ornaments. Craftsmen who carry on the traditional techniques of Inami Chokoku work on production there.
Official site →How to Buy
- 井波彫刻協同組合
- The official website of the cooperative that member craftsmen of Inami Chokoku belong to, introducing information about the production area and participating businesses.Where to buy →PR
- 道の駅井波 いなみ木彫りの里創遊館
- A roadside station that displays and sells wood-carved souvenir items such as Inami Chokoku ornaments and transom panels. Visitors can also tour craftsmen's workshops.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
井波彫刻総合会館
富山県南砺市井波北川733
A facility exhibiting masterpieces of Inami Chokoku. Admission is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for elementary and junior high school students (400 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students for groups of 25 or more). Closed on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
View details →道の駅井波 いなみ木彫りの里創遊館
富山県南砺市北川733
Offers hands-on wood-carving experiences, such as carving plates, small containers, and sake cups, starting at around 1,000 yen and taking about one hour. Free tours of the craftsmen's workshop, 'Takumi Kobo,' are also available.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is the representative technique of Inami Chokoku?
A. The representative technique is 'sukashibori' (openwork carving), which uses only chisels to cut away the background of a pattern and make the motif stand out three-dimensionally, creating a lively sense of movement through layered carving from both front and back.
Q. Where can I see Inami Chokoku?
A. In addition to the transom carvings at Zuisenji Temple, the site of Inami Betsuin where the craft originated, works and the production process can be seen at the Inami Chokoku Sogo Kaikan (general hall) and the roadside station Inami Kibori-no-sato Sōyū-kan in Inami, Nanto City.