Yame Fukushima Butsudan are magnificent tower-style Buddhist altars made in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture (the former town of Fukushima), finished with gold leaf and lacquer. It is said that in 1821 (Bunsei 4), the joiner-carpenter Toowatari Sansaku had a dream of building a splendid temple and, together with fellow carpenters Inoue Rikyuhei and Hirai Sansaku, began making altars, and by around 1850 the production techniques had been established. By the end of the Edo period, the craft had grown into a major industry bringing together artisans specializing in lacquering, metal fittings, carving, Buddhist images, and woodwork. Under a system in which woodworkers, palace-structure makers, carvers, metal-fitting makers, lacquerers, and maki-e artists each handle a separate stage, a single altar is completed through about 80 processes, from the wood base and palace structure to carving, metal fittings, lacquering, and maki-e and gold-leaf application. On March 30, 1977 (Showa 52), it was designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, establishing its status as Fukuoka Prefecture's leading center of Buddhist altar production.
Origin
The origin of Yame Fukushima Butsudan dates back to 1821 (Bunsei 4). According to a well-known episode, the joiner-carpenter Toowatari Sansaku had a dream of a magnificent temple building and, inspired by it, began making Buddhist altars together with fellow carpenters Inoue Rikyuhei and Hirai Sansaku. The former town of Fukushima (present-day Yame City) had prospered as a commercial market town since the Edo period, and this made it a place where the woodworking, lacquering, and metalworking artisans needed for altar-making could readily gather, which also helped the production center to form.
History
By around 1850 the production techniques had become established, and by the end of the Edo period, Fukushima-machi is said to have grown into a major industry involving 18 lacquering craftsmen, 14 metal-fitting craftsmen, 7 carving craftsmen, 7 Buddhist-image makers, and 10 wood-processing craftsmen. The techniques were passed down through the generations while maintaining a high degree of specialization through the division of labor, and on March 30, 1977 (Showa 52), the craft was designated a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, establishing its status as Fukuoka Prefecture's leading center of Buddhist altar production.
Features
Its greatest characteristic is that it is a solemn and magnificent tower-style gold Buddhist altar, bringing together the finest of artisan craftsmanship: weighty lacquering, splendid gold leaf and maki-e, intricate palace structures and carving, and detailed metal fittings. Under a division of labor among six specialties—woodworker, palace-structure maker, carver, metal-fitting maker, lacquerer, and maki-e artist—about 80 processes are involved before completion. Because it adopts a wood-base structure assembled using mortise-and-tenon joints, it can be used for a long time, and another great appeal is that individual components can be easily repaired and maintained.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Wood base (kiji)
The process of assembling the main body of the altar. Using woods such as cedar, cypress, and zelkova, it is assembled with mortise-and-tenon joints without nails, creating a structure that is easy to repair later.
- 2
Kuden (palace structure)
Making the kuden section, which corresponds to the roof inside the altar. It is intricately built in imitation of temple architecture, using traditional assembly methods to express a solemn inner sanctuary.
- 3
Carving
Motifs such as flowers, birds, and dragons are carved into the transoms and doors. Three-dimensional carving is applied to the wood base, lending dignity to the altar as a whole.
- 4
Lacquering
Refined natural lacquer is applied by hand in many layers, giving the altar a rich luster and durability.
- 5
Metal fittings
Metal fittings that decorate the altar are made using copper and copper alloys. Fine decoration is applied through engraving and openwork carving.
- 6
Maki-e and gold-leaf application
This final process involves maki-e, in which patterns are drawn in lacquer and sprinkled with gold powder, and the application of pure gold leaf, giving the entire altar a splendid brilliance.
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Artisans & Workshops
城後佛壇店
Founded in 1878 (Meiji 11), a long-established altar shop in Honmachi, Yame City. It displays a large collection of materials on traditional Yame Fukushima Butsudan, and many of the gold altars on show in the shop are Traditional Crafts Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Official site →鶴佛壇店本店（ギャラリーメモリア八女）
An altar shop carrying on techniques unique to Yame Fukushima Butsudan that have been handed down since the late Edo period. It displays and sells a wide range of altars, from traditional gold altars to modern altars suited to contemporary homes.
Official site →How to Buy
- Yame Fukushima Butsudan Butsugu Cooperative Association
- A cooperative association with 19 member companies engaged in manufacturing and selling Yame Fukushima Butsudan. Through its member workshops, customers can consult about purchasing anything from traditional gold altars to smaller altars suited to their living space.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
八女伝統工芸館
福岡県八女市本町2-123-2
Displays include Japan's largest Buddhist altar, standing 6.5m tall and 3.8m wide, as well as exhibits on the production process and tools used for Yame Fukushima Butsudan. Admission is free; open 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays and over the New Year holidays).
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