Takaoka Butsudan are Buddhist altars manufactured in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, a comprehensive craft that applies the metalworking and lacquer techniques nurtured by Takaoka's copperware and lacquerware traditions to altar-making. Records from the Keicho era already show joiners producing lacquered furniture, which is thought to be the origin of altar-making in the area. Altar production had formed into an industry by at least the end of the Edo period, and an altar made around 1846 (Koka 3) is said to be almost identical in style to today's Takaoka Butsudan. The craft is characterized by a division of labor among woodworkers, carvers, lacquerers, maki-e decorators, and metal fitting makers: three-dimensional wood carving is applied to a wooden frame made of ginkgo and Podocarpus macrophyllus (kusamaki), the ground is carefully prepared and lacquer is applied in many layers, and the piece is finished with hand-forged, thick metal fittings colored to a reddish hue through a boiling process. The engraving techniques developed through Takaoka copperware are said to have supported the development of the altars' decorative work, and it was designated a Toyama Prefecture-designated Traditional Craft in 2013 (Heisei 25).
Origin
In Takaoka, the casting town founded by Maeda Toshinaga in 1609, records from the Keicho era already show joiners producing lacquered furniture. This woodworking and lacquer craftsmanship being applied to altar-making is thought to be the origin of Takaoka Butsudan.
History
Altar production had formed into an industry in Takaoka by at least the end of the Edo period, and an altar made around 1846 (Koka 3) is said to be almost identical in style to today's Takaoka Butsudan. The engraving techniques cultivated through Takaoka copperware also contributed to the development of the decoration, and it was designated a Toyama Prefecture-designated Traditional Craft in 2013 (Heisei 25).
Features
The craft is characterized by a division-of-labor production system among woodworkers, carvers, lacquerers, maki-e decorators, and metal fitting makers. Three-dimensional wood carving is applied to woods such as ginkgo and kusamaki, the ground is carefully prepared and lacquer is applied in many layers, and hand-forged, thick metal fittings colored to a reddish hue through a boiling process are used, giving the altars their signature substantial, dignified finish.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Woodworking
The woodworker assembles woods such as ginkgo to build the wooden frame that forms the altar's skeleton.
- 2
Carving
The carver carves three-dimensional floral and plant motifs into the doors, transoms, and other parts.
- 3
Lacquering
The lacquerer carefully prepares the ground and applies lacquer in many layers to bring out a lustrous finish.
- 4
Decorative Metal Fittings
The metal fitting maker forges thick metal fittings by hand and colors them to a reddish hue through a boiling process.
- 5
Maki-e and Assembly
The maki-e decorator adds decoration, after which the various parts are assembled into the completed altar.
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Artisans & Workshops
大越仏壇
A manufacturer and retailer of Buddhist altars with a factory in Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City. It offers factory tours and hands-on experiences using gold leaf, allowing visitors to see the Takaoka Butsudan production process up close.
Official site →How to Buy
- 高岡仏壇仏具センター
- A specialty store for Buddhist altars and altar fittings in Marunouchi, Takaoka City. It carries a wide range of items including Takaoka Butsudan, household Shinto altars (kamidana), Shinto ritual items, and prayer beads.Where to buy →PR
- 大越仏壇
- A manufacturer and retailer of Buddhist altars in Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City, handling everything from the manufacture of Takaoka Butsudan to sales and restoration.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
大越仏壇
富山県高岡市福岡町下老子736
Offers tours of the altar factory (in principle for residents of Toyama Prefecture, free of charge) as well as a gold-leaf chopstick-rest-making experience (around 1,000 yen).
View details →FAQ
Q. Where does the substantial look of Takaoka Butsudan come from?
A. Its substantial finish comes from the combination of three-dimensional wood carving on the frame, a lustrous lacquer finish built up over a carefully prepared ground, and decoration with hand-forged, thick metal fittings colored to a reddish hue through a boiling process.