Ise Ittobori is a carved wooden good-luck charm made in Ise City and Tamaki Town, Mie Prefecture. It is said to have begun when shrine carpenters (miyadaiku) involved in building the Ise Grand Shrine carved figures of Ebisu and Daikoku from timber left over from the shrine's rebuilding. It is characterized by boldly cutting away the corners of the wood with a large chisel and leaving the carved faces as the finished surface. Because it is neither polished nor painted, the knife marks and wood grain give it a rustic strength and warmth. The main material is camphor wood, and hinoki cypress is also used. Subjects include the zodiac animal of the year, as well as sacred roosters, frogs and other motifs associated with Ise. Ise has long been home to many netsuke carvers, and the accumulated carving skills of the area are also said to have formed part of its background. Today the techniques are carried on by 岸川行輝, 泉廣典, and 太田結衣, who studied under 岸川行輝, among others. It is a Mie Prefecture Designated Traditional Craft.
Origin
Ise Ittobori is said to have begun as a side craft of the shrine carpenters who took part in the construction work for the Shikinen Sengu of the Ise Grand Shrine (the ritual of rebuilding the shrine buildings anew every 20 years). Its origin is said to lie in the shrine carpenters carving gods of good fortune such as Ebisu and Daikoku from timber left over from the shrine. The period is said to be the Edo period, when the number of pilgrims coming to Ise from all over Japan was increasing. Ise had long been home to many netsuke carvers and was a place known for excellent carving skills.
History
In the early days, netsuke, toggles used to fasten inro (small cases) and drawstring pouches to the sash, are said to have been popular. Favored subjects included the gods of good fortune Ebisu and Daikoku, and sacred roosters. In the Edo period, when pilgrims increased, works carved with carpenters' tools are also said to have been sought as protective amulets (omamori). These good-luck charms later developed into ornaments carved in the form of zodiac animals. Today, makers in Ise hold exhibitions and hands-on workshops, and some makers are involved in creating zodiac pieces for shrines throughout Japan.
Features
Ise Ittobori is characterized by rough, bold forms in which each cut becomes the finished surface as it is. Figures are carved out of square timber, and it is said that the form is expressed with as many as about 48 faces. Because it is neither polished nor painted, the knife marks and wood grain remain, combining rusticity and warmth. How to bring out the features of a motif with only a few faces is where the maker's skill shows. The main material is fragrant camphor wood, and it is said that only about 60 percent of the purchased timber can be used for works.
Materials Used
| Main Production Areas |
|
|---|
Artisans & Workshops
岸川行輝
An Ise Ittobori carver based in 桜木町, Ise City. As a member of '伊勢の匠会', a group of makers of Ise's traditional crafts, 岸川行輝 exhibits works at exhibitions and also serves as an instructor for hands-on workshops in carving coasters and chopstick rests. 岸川行輝 is said to have trained four apprentices so far.
泉廣典
An Ise Ittobori maker based in 一宇田町, Ise City. 泉廣典 is introduced as an artist carrying on Ise Ittobori, a traditional craft of Mie Prefecture, and is an artisan who has long been engaged in work related to shrines.
一刀彫 結（太田結衣）
The trade name of 太田結衣, who became an apprentice of 岸川行輝 in 2010. 太田結衣 creates ittobori suited to modern life and is also involved in making zodiac pieces for shrines across Japan and in joint products with companies. Workshops are held several times a year.
Official site →How to Buy
- 一刀彫 結 Online Store
- The official online store handling works by 太田結衣. It sells zodiac ornaments and other items, and sometimes takes pre-orders. Works are also sometimes shown at events such as the '匠の技展' (master craftsmanship exhibition) at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.Where to buy →PR
- Lifestyle goods store cotogoto
- It carries zodiac ornaments planned jointly with '一刀彫 結'. They are made of camphor wood and small enough to rest on the palm of your hand. The price is about 5,225 yen (tax included) per figure, and about 62,700 yen (tax included) for a full set of the twelve zodiac animals.Where to buy →PR
- 宮忠 (Geku store / Okage Yokocho)
- 宮忠, which deals in household Shinto altars and ritual implements in Ise, introduces the origins of Ise Ittobori on its own website. The same page lists 宮忠外宮店, in front of the Geku (Outer Shrine), and 宮忠 in Okage Yokocho as retailers.Where to buy →PR
FAQ
Q. How does it differ from other ittobori, such as Nara Ittobori?
A. Ittobori is a general term for wood carvings finished by making use of the faces cut with a chisel as they are. Nara Ittobori is characterized by vivid polychrome coloring, whereas Ise Ittobori is neither polished nor painted. Its charm is a rustic, powerful expression that shows the grain of the camphor wood and the knife marks as they are.