Kamakura-bori lacquerware

Kamakura-bori lacquerware Kamakura bori

Heavenly carvings and unique patterns
from the engravings on Buddhist statues


What is Kamakura-bori lacquerware ?

Kamakura-bori is a type of lacquer ware made in the area around the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The tradition dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333) when Tsuishu and Tsuikoku, thickly lacquered wooden wares, were imported from China alongside other artistic crafts. The style of the imported wares was later incorporated with Japanese arts and traditional patterns and Kamakura-bori was born. Initially, sculptors of Buddhist ritual implements and temple carpenters that were influenced by Chinese art works started to carve vessels made of Japanese Judas tree or ginkgo and applied a lacquer finish to the pieces, and these were called Kamakura-bori. Today, production has spread to include everyday goods like inkstone cases, paperweights, plates, and trays. Kamakura-bori features chisel markings left intentionally to accentuate patterned areas. Another unique technique is to sprinkle black ink on a vermilion lacquered surface, in order for the patterns to stand out from the darkened background. The carving and lacquering techniques of Kamakura-bori have evolved for the past 800 years. Even today, Kamakura constantly attracts visitors looking for that perfect lacquer ware that will enhance daily life.


Kamakura-bori has its origins during the Kamakura period among the sculptors of Buddhist ritual implements and temple carpenters. In the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Kamakura-bori incense cases became popular in temples, and later, with the development of tea ceremony culture, Kamakura-bori incense cases and tea boxes began to be used. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kamakura-bori spread beyond Buddhist ritual items, and daily goods began to be produced. Besides Chinese-style carvings, designs unique to Japan were gradually established.
At the beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912), due to the passing of the Edict for Separation of Shinto and Buddhism by the Meiji government, an anti-Buddhist movement gathered momentum and led to a decline in the number of sculptors producing Buddhist items. Among the remaining sculptors, Itsuki GOTO and Kenzan MITSUHASHI were the two greatest who went on to develop the techniques of Buddhist sculpture and improve the quality of Kamakura-bori crafts. Since then, Kamakura-bori household items have gradually gained popularity among the general public, the techniques have continued to spread, and it is even used for interior design today. In 1979, Kamakura-bori was designated as one of the Traditional Crafts by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

General Production Process

  1. 1. Choosing the timber Kamakura-bori is made out of Japanese Judas trees from Hokkaido. The timber is seasoned for six months to a year before being worked upon. Black ink is used to mark the basic shape which is cut with a band saw. Kamakura-bori works are created collaboratively by many artisans each with a specialty skill, like carving, lacquering, and tool making.
  2. 2. Wood turning When making rounded products, including bowls, trays, and plates, the wood is turned on a lathe. Rounded products make up 70% of all production. The pieces are roughly turned and dried before being turned again to smoothen the shape. Other techniques include the combining of several boards and the hollowing and shaping of boards.
  3. 3. Painting First a sketch is made, with patterns that conform to the shape and usage of the final item. These sketches are copied to traditional Japanese paper with aodake or green bamboo dye, before being traced onto the wood.
  4. 4. Rough engraving The true beauty of Kamakura-bori lies within the superb engravings. In the first engraving process, the traced lines are carved into the wooden base with a knife, the angle cuts are critical to bring out a sense of perspective and depth, and in this stage, artisans can freely show off their splendid skills.
  5. 5. Shading The outer edges of the engraved lines are raised to make the patterns more prominent. This is highly skilled work because with one mistaken cut, the piece is ruined.
  6. 6. Chisel markings With skillful use of a wide range of knives like a small one and a flat one, the carvings are fleshed out and improved. A feature of Kamakura-bori is to intentionally leave chisel markings on the surface to accentuate the patterned area.
  7. 7. Undercoating Raw urushi tree sap or raw Japanese lacquer is applied to the wood as an undercoat.
  8. 8. First coat A first coat of raw Japanese lacquer is applied to the entire surface including engraved lines, followed by a sprinkle of carbon dust and polishing powder. This process maximizes the effect of the lacquer by accentuating the carved uneven surface.
  9. 9. Middle coat Two coats of black urushi lacquer are applied and the artisan must pay special attention to prevent urushi pooling in the carved lines. When dried, the surface is polished with a whetstone and sandpaper.
  10. 10. Last coat The last step is a final coat of scarlet pigment mixed with translucent Japanese lacquer.
  11. 11. Makomo powder sprinkling Before the final coat has completely dried, a powder made from a plant called makomo is sprinkled on the surface. After drying, the surface is highly polished to give an antique appearance.
  12. 12. Raw Japanese lacquer As a finishing touch after polishing, raw Japanese lacquer is reapplied to the whole surface. After drying, more painstaking cloth polishing and polishing with susudama or baked clay powder is done to complete the Kamakura-bori piece.

Leading Ateliers

Kamakura-bori lacquerware Sansuido atelier

Kamakura-bori lacquerware Sansuido atelier

Sansuido atelier creates various exquisite traditional Kamakura-bori lacquerware products.
We take orders for any special occasions or presents and repair your lacquerware articles.

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