[Traditional Crafts] Kamakura Carving: The Art of Carving and Lacquering Passed Down from Ancient Times

Kamakura-bori, also known as a traditional craft of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a name reserved only for lacquerware made in Kamakura City and its surrounding areas, and its origins date back to the Kamakura period. This time, we visited the Kamakura-bori Craft Museum and interviewed Kazuhiko Mitsuki, the chairman of the Traditional Kamakura-bori Business Cooperative Association and a Kamakura-bori traditional craftsman. We will present this interview along with our experience report.

Adding color to your life with natural materials and handcrafted items.

Ms. Mitsuki, originally from Osaka, first learned about Kamakura-bori (Kamakura carving) when she was working for a design company in Tokyo, drawing architectural plans. At the time, even if she was assigned to design bridge piers, she could only handle one support column. With the changing times, drawings were increasingly being created on computers instead of by hand, and she began to feel the limitations of her design work. Unable to bridge the gap between her ideal of "wanting to create things with my own hands from start to finish" and reality, she learned about Kamakura-bori through Jiro Nitta's novel "The Man of the Silver Peaks," and at the age of 25, she jumped into the world of traditional crafts.

—How long has it been since you started working with Kamakura-bori (Kamakura wood carving)?

It's been over 40 years since March . I was naturally dexterous from a young age, so when I became interested in Kamakura-bori (Kamakura wood carving), I didn't hesitate to immediately attend a training school. I learned carving in my first year and painting in my second year, and became a painter.

—Here at the Kamakura Carving Museum, there are many works on display, including some with a long history.

Can you see the evolution of Kamakura-bori in the works from March ? It is said that Kamakura-bori originated in the Kamakura period when Buddhist sculptors and temple carpenters were influenced by tsuishu (carved lacquer) and tsuikoku (carved black lacquer), which were introduced from China along with Zen Buddhism, and began making Buddhist implements using wood carving and lacquering techniques. In the Muromachi period, it was highly valued for incense boxes and tea ceremony utensils, but it underwent a turning point in the Meiji era when temples declined due to the anti-Buddhist movement and the work of Buddhist sculptors drastically decreased.

Subsequently, two Buddhist sculptors, Goto Itsuki and Mitsuhashi Kenzan, exhibited their works at exhibitions in Japan and Paris, winning awards and gaining popularity both domestically and internationally. Research into new techniques progressed, primarily led by the Goto and Mitsuhashi families, establishing the foundation for modern Kamakura carving.

—So, you utilized your skills in Buddhist statue carving to move from Buddhist implements to fine arts and crafts, and then to everyday items. What do you find appealing about Kamakura carving, Ms. Mitsuki?

As a craftsman, what I appreciate most about Kamakura-bori is that I can do everything myself, from carving to painting. There are many lacquerware crafts remaining in Japan, but many of them are divided into specialized processes, emphasizing expertise in each stage. In that respect, the real appeal of Kamakura-bori is that the craftsman can directly bring their vision to life with their own hands. I also like the freedom and leeway in choosing the patterns and colors. I became a lacquerer because I was fascinated by the profound beauty of lacquer, which changes like a living thing depending on the season and weather. I enjoy the world of color by mixing pigments into the top coat of lacquer.

—Ms. Mitsuki's works, the small boxes "Fruit Garden" and "Vegetable Garden," are striking with their vibrant red and green colors. The designs, which incorporate the materials themselves, also have a modern feel and are very approachable.

Thank you for March . Just as Japanese designs were established from Chinese-style carvings, I would like to continue to express myself with unconventional ideas.

I went to a Kamakura-bori wood carving workshop.

Kamakura-bori involves drying wood such as katsura or ginkgo for 6 months to a year to shape the base, then carving patterns to make them stand out, and repeatedly applying lacquer, drying it, and polishing it to create shadows in the carvings. This time, I participated in a "Kamakura-bori Experience Class" at the Kamakura-bori Craft Museum, with Ms. Mitsuki as the instructor. I got to experience the carving process, one of the steps in Kamakura-bori.

First, I went to the materials section on the first floor to choose a piece of wood. There was a wide variety of wood to choose from, including coasters and wooden brooches, but this time I chose a "Monstera (lucky bamboo)" design for my decorative box.

Once the wood base was decided, we went upstairs. Under Mr. Mitsuki's guidance, we spent about two hours using a flat knife and a small knife, scraping and carving...the sound of beveling was soothing. We learned that wood has straight grain and flat grain, so we had to be careful when working against the grain. We were also taught that the lacquer wouldn't adhere properly without beveling, so we had to make sure to leave no area unfinished to give it character.

Here is the finished product. It's before the lacquer finish, but the warmth of the natural materials is very comforting.
The Traditional Kamakura Carving Business Cooperative Association holds a "Kamakura Carving Experience Workshop" at an elementary school in the city every year at the request of the Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association. With the desire to carry on Kanagawa Prefecture's traditional culture, the workshop is scheduled to be held again this autumn.

I will continue to cherish my work and my thoughts.

Since fiscal year 2025, Kamakura City has introduced and lent its employees badges made using Kamakura-bori techniques as part of its efforts to promote and raise awareness of Kamakura-bori. Ms. Mitsuki and others were involved in the production of these badges, working to promote Kamakura-bori.

Furthermore, planning has begun for the "2027 International Horticultural Exposition (GREEN×EXPO 2027)," scheduled to be held in Yokohama City from March 19, 2027. The "Kamakura Carving Creative Exhibition," organized by the Traditional Kamakura Carving Business Cooperative, will this year be a competition in collaboration with flower arrangement groups, themed "Kamakura Carving x Flower Vases." The grand prize-winning work will be exhibited at the GREEN×EXPO 2027 venue, with plans to widely promote the appeal of Kamakura carving.

Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)

Kamakura Carving Museum
Address: 3-4-7 Yuigahama, Kamakura City
Phone number: 0467-23-0154
Official website: Click here