Sanuki Ittobori (Single-Blade Carving)
Sanuki Ittobori (Sanuki Chisel-Mark Wood Carving)
Sanuki Ittobori is a wood carving of Kagawa Prefecture, produced mainly in Kotohira Town and Manno Town. Made from koematsu (resin-rich pine) or camphor wood (kusunoki), it is characterized by a finish that deliberately leaves the marks of the chisel blade. Kagawa Prefecture describes these chisel marks as 'a harmony of boldness and delicacy.' It is said to have begun in 1837 (Tenpo 8), when shrine and temple carpenters (miyadaiku) who had gathered from all over Japan to build the Asahi-sha hall of Kotohira-gu Shrine competed with one another in their carving skills. The techniques were also passed on to the sculpture course of the Kotohira Industrial Apprentice School, which opened around Meiji 30, and the carvings spread as souvenirs of the Konpira pilgrimage. In fiscal 1985 (Showa 60), it was among the first group of items designated as Kagawa Prefecture Designated Traditional Crafts. Lucky charms such as daruma, Daikokuten and Ebisu are made, and as of February 2026, nine people have been certified as Kagawa Prefecture Traditional Craftspersons.
Origin
Sanuki Ittobori is said to trace its origins back to the construction of the Asahi-sha hall of Kotohira-gu Shrine. Asahi-sha, completed in 1837 (Tenpo 8), is a building with a double-layered irimoya (hip-and-gable) roof; it is designated a national Important Cultural Property, and carvings adorn even its roof space and sides. Kagawa Prefecture's materials state that the competition in carving skills among the shrine and temple carpenters who gathered from all over Japan for this construction is said to be the beginning of Sanuki Ittobori.
History
The carpenters' skills are said to have been passed on to the sculpture course of the Kotohira Industrial Apprentice School, which opened around Meiji 30 (1897). In Kotohira, a shrine town (monzen-machi), ittobori carvings spread as souvenirs bought by worshippers on the Konpira pilgrimage. In fiscal 1985 (Showa 60), it became one of the first group of items designated as Kagawa Prefecture Designated Traditional Crafts. Craftspeople in Kotohira Town and Manno Town continue to make the carvings today, and as of February 2026, nine people have been certified as Kagawa Prefecture Traditional Craftspersons.
Features
In Sanuki Ittobori, the chisel marks made during carving are not shaved away but are put to use as they are in the finished piece. The carving marks themselves become the work's expression, giving a powerful impression. The materials used are koematsu, which contains a great deal of resin, and camphor wood. The works are centered on lucky charms such as daruma, Daikokuten and Ebisu. At 山中象堂 in Kotohira Town, in addition to traditional red daruma, 'POP Daruma' painted with stripes and polka dots are also made.
Techniques
Carving That Makes Use of Chisel Marks
In Sanuki Ittobori, the wood is carved with a chisel, and the blade marks are left without being polished away. At 山中象堂, camphor wood more than 100 years old is carved and finished in a way that makes use of the chisel marks. Some works are colored after carving, and some workshops divide the carving and painting between different people.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
山中象堂
A Sanuki Ittobori shop on the approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine, near the 30th of its stone steps, said to have been in business for more than 100 years. 山中竹志, a Kagawa Prefecture Traditional Craftsperson, carves the camphor wood, and his daughter 希 adds the color. Its colorfully patterned 'POP Daruma' are popular; according to a 2024 news report, each one took about a week to make, and there was a wait of about two years after ordering.
Official site →さぬき一刀彫 嵯峨山
A maker in Kotohira Town that offers items such as an Ebisu and Daikokuten set and a Nihyo Daikokuten (Daikokuten with two rice bales) as thank-you gifts for Kotohira Town's furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) program. According to the gift descriptions, each piece is made from Japanese red pine and finished entirely by hand as a one-of-a-kind item.
Official site →How to Buy
- 山中象堂 (980 Kotohira Town)
- Located along the approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine, about a 10-minute walk from JR Kotohira Station. According to a 2024 news report, POP Daruma start at 10,000 yen each, and orders are accepted by phone or email. Because they are very popular, there may be a long wait before you receive one.Where to buy →PR
- Kotohira Town furusato nozei (hometown tax donation)
- Kotohira Town's furusato nozei program lists a Sanuki Ittobori Ebisu and Daikokuten set and a Nihyo Daikokuten about 7 to 9 cm tall as thank-you gifts. Both are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces made from Japanese red pine.Where to buy →PR
FAQ
Q. What is the connection between Sanuki Ittobori and Kotohira-gu Shrine?
A. According to Kagawa Prefecture, it is said to have begun in 1837, when shrine and temple carpenters who gathered from all over Japan to build the Asahi-sha hall of Kotohira-gu Shrine competed in their carving skills. It later spread in the shrine town of Kotohira as a souvenir of the Konpira pilgrimage, and there are still shops selling ittobori carvings along the approach today.
Q. What kinds of works are there?
A. Many lucky charms such as daruma, Daikokuten and Ebisu are made. They range from small figurines about 7 cm tall to sets pairing Ebisu with Daikokuten. At 山中象堂, besides traditional red daruma, 'POP Daruma' with stripes and polka dots are also made.