Yamagata Butsudan is a Buddhist altar made through a division of labor centered on Yamagata City, in which seven specialized crafts - woodworking, palace-shrine work, carving, lacquering, maki-e (gold lacquer decoration), metal fittings, and gold-leaf application - are each handled by their own specialist artisans. Its origin is said to date to the Kyoho era (around 1724-1736), when Hoshino Kichibei, who had studied the art of carving in Asakusa, Edo, returned to Yamagata and began making ranma (transom panels) and Buddhist ritual implements. His successor, the second-generation Kichibei Hirotaka, gathered local artisans and put altar-making on a full-scale footing, and the arrival of superior techniques and culture from the Kansai region via shipping on the Mogami River also helped spur the development of the production area. Around 1895, a production system divided among seven specialized trades was established, and the craft has continued to develop as Japan's northernmost Buddhist altar-producing region, being designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1980. It is characterized by sturdy wood joinery using zelkova and other woods, deep and intricate carving, and understated black metal fittings and inlaid-gold fittings.
Origin
The origin of Yamagata Butsudan is said to trace back to the Kyoho era (around 1724-1736), when Hoshino Kichibei, who had studied carving in Asakusa, Edo, under the carving master Goto Moemon, returned to Yamagata and began making ranma (transom panels) and Buddhist ritual implements. In the generation of his successor, the second-generation Kichibei Hirotaka, local lacquerers, maki-e artisans, and metal-fitting craftsmen were gathered to put altar-making on a full-scale footing, laying the foundation of the production area, and the techniques of the Hoshino family have since been passed down from generation to generation.
History
The arrival of superior techniques and culture from the Kansai region (Kyoto and Osaka) via shipping on the Mogami River also supported the development of Yamagata Butsudan. Around 1895, as demand grew, a division-of-labor system split into seven trades - woodworking, palace-shrine work, carving, metal fittings, lacquering, maki-e, and gold-leaf application - became established, and the craft has continued to develop as Japan's northernmost Buddhist altar-producing region. It was designated a national Traditional Craft in 1980.
Features
Yamagata Butsudan displays distinctive Yamagata design touches throughout, including sturdy woodwork assembled with mortise-and-tenon joints from zelkova and other woods, deep and intricate palace-shrine work and carving, understated, lustrous 'kuro-kanagu' (black metal fittings) and 'chinkin-kanagu' (inlaid-gold fittings), and lacquering techniques that make the most of the wood grain. Lacquerwork that repeats coating and polishing, as well as 'mori-age maki-e' (raised gold-lacquer decoration), considered the finest of its kind, are also distinguishing features. High quality is maintained through a division-of-labor system in which each of the seven specialized trades is handled by its own expert artisans.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Woodworking
Zelkova and other woods are assembled with mortise-and-tenon joints to build the altar's frame.
- 2
Palace-shrine work and carving
Detail work is done on the palace-shrine placed in the inner sanctuary, along with decorative carving on the transoms and pillars.
- 3
Lacquering and maki-e
Lacquer is applied and polished in repeated rounds, finished with wood-grain-enhancing lacquering and raised (mori-age) maki-e.
- 4
Metal fittings, gold leaf, and assembly
Patterns are worked into brass fittings, and gold-leafed components are combined to complete the altar.
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Artisans & Workshops
木村ぶつだん
Founded in 1919, a Buddhist altar and ritual-implement specialty shop in Honcho, Sagae City. It carries on the traditional techniques of Yamagata Butsudan, handling everything from making and selling altars to repair work.
Official site →