Shibayama Zaiku (Shibayama-zogan) is an inlay technique in which shell, coral, tortoiseshell, jade, ivory, and other materials are carved into the shapes of flowers, birds, and figures and set into the surface of lacquered objects to create raised, three-dimensional designs. It is said to have been devised in 1775 by Onogi Senzo, born in Shibayama village in Kazusa Province (present-day Shibayama Town, Chiba Prefecture); Senzo later moved to Edo, took the name Shibayama Senzo, and spread the technique widely. After the opening of Japan at the end of the shogunate, craftsmen gathered in Yokohama, which flourished as a treaty port, and the technique won high praise from Western merchants, developing its own distinct style known as ‘Yokohama Shibayama-nuri.’ It even won a prize at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, gaining international recognition. However, the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War took a heavy toll, and the number of craftsmen fell sharply — from around 100 at its peak to, as of 2017, reportedly just a single craftsman capable of producing large-scale works. In Shibayama Town, the birthplace of the craft, a ‘Shibayama-zogan plaque’ made in 1805 survives and is carefully preserved as a cultural property of the town.
Origin
Shibayama Zaiku is an inlay technique devised in 1775 by Onogi Senzo, who was born in Shibayama village in Kazusa Province (present-day Shibayama Town, Chiba Prefecture). Shell, coral, tortoiseshell, jade, ivory, and other materials are carved into the shapes of flowers, birds, and figures and set into the surface of lacquered objects to create raised, three-dimensional designs. Senzo later moved to Edo, changed his name to Shibayama Senzo, and spread the technique as ‘Shibayama-zogan,’ building its reputation as a craft of Edo.
History
With the opening of Japan at the end of the shogunate, craftsmen skilled in Shibayama-zogan gathered in Yokohama, which developed as a treaty port, and the craft flourished as an export product for Western markets under a system of divided labor. After winning a prize at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Yokohama craftsmen went on to create ‘Yokohama Shibayama-nuri,’ a style with its own distinct designs, different from the original Shibayama-zogan of its birthplace. However, the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War dealt the craft heavy blows, and the number of craftsmen declined sharply.
Features
The hallmark of Shibayama Zaiku is the way materials such as shell, tortoiseshell, and ivory are thinly shaved and finely carved into the shapes of flowers, birds, and figures, then set into a lacquer ground to create a painting-like sense of depth and brilliance. Craftsmen use the differing colors and textures of each material to create shading, in work that demands extremely advanced carving skill and patience. The number of craftsmen, once around 100 at its peak, has fallen so sharply that, as of 2017, only one is said to be capable of producing large-scale works, making this one of the most difficult crafts to pass on today.
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FAQ
Q. Can Shibayama Zaiku works still be seen today?
A. In Shibayama Town, the birthplace of the craft, a ‘Shibayama-zogan plaque’ made in 1805 survives. It is kept by the Shibayama Town Board of Education as a town cultural property and is put on public display at the Shibayama Kofun and Haniwa Museum during special exhibitions.