Ujo-bori is a wood-carved lacquerware from Okayama City, named after 'Ujo,' another name for Okayama Castle. Its founder was Kiguchi Kyuho (real name Kiguchi Fusashiro, 1895-1969), who became devoted to woodcarving after carving tea utensils and the like as a hobby, and in 1927 (Showa 2) named his own work 'Ujo-bori.' On a single board of keyaki (zelkova), oak, katsura, or paulownia wood, motifs such as vegetables, fruit, flowers and grasses, or ancient roof-tile patterns are carved in relief, and the piece is finished by repeating a 'fuki-urushi' (wiped lacquer) process—applying raw lacquer and wiping it off with cloth—about 13 to 24 times. Its defining feature is that the luster and character deepen the more it is used. Originally devised not for commercial purposes but as a social enterprise to create work for people with disabilities, the Ujo-bori Association (a foundation) was established in 1953. Ujo-bori incense trays and tea caddies have been presented to Emperor Showa on two occasions, in 1930 and 1946. With a history spanning more than 90 years, it continues today to be handed down as a specialty craft of Okayama City.
Origin
The founder of Ujo-bori was Kiguchi Kyuho (real name Kiguchi Fusashiro, 1895-1969). After carving tea utensils and similar items as a hobby, he became devoted to woodcarving and turned to it as a sculptor, and in 1927 (Showa 2) he named his own work 'Ujo-bori' after 'Ujo,' another name for Okayama Castle.
History
Ujo-bori was devised not as a commercial product but as a social enterprise aimed at creating work for people with disabilities, and the Ujo-bori Association (a foundation) was established in 1953. On two occasions, in 1930 and 1946, Ujo-bori incense trays and tea caddies were presented to Emperor Showa. It has since been carried on for more than 90 years as a specialty craft representative of Okayama.
Features
On a single board of keyaki, oak, katsura, or paulownia wood, motifs such as vegetables, fruit, flowers and grasses, or ancient roof-tile patterns are carved in relief, and the piece is finished by repeating a 'fuki-urushi' process—applying raw lacquer and wiping it off with cloth—about 13 to 24 times. It is a hand-carved lacquerware that embodies 'beauty through use,' with luster and character that deepen the more it is used.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Sketching and relief carving
A design sketch is drawn on a single board, then carved in relief with carving tools.
- 2
Fuki-urushi (wiped lacquer)
Raw lacquer is applied and wiped off with cloth, a process repeated about 13 to 24 times to bring out the luster.
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Artisans & Workshops
株式会社烏城彫協会（烏城彫本店）
A long-established Okayama City business handling the manufacture and sale of Ujo-bori, tracing its origins to the Ujo-bori Association (a foundation) established in 1953. It also regularly holds hands-on workshops where visitors can learn how to use carving tools.
Official site →How to Buy
- 烏城彫本店（烏城彫協会）
- A directly run shop of Ujo-bori in Tenjincho, Kita Ward, Okayama City, offering traditional relief-carved lacquerware such as incense trays, tea trivets, and plates.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
烏城彫本店 職人技体験「MON－紋－を彫ろう！」
岡山市北区天神町5-1
Held every fourth Saturday of the month from 13:00, with a workshop fee starting at around 3,500 yen (reservation required). A crest-plate-making workshop is also held at Okayama Korakuen Garden.
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