Japanese Lacquer-finished Kamakura-bori Wood Carving under Kyukei Goto

An intimate view of what makes Unkei’s legacy Kamakura-bori special

An elegant Japanese house stands near the third torii gates of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura with a large signboard reading, “Kamakura-bori, Kyukei Goto.” Inside the old-fashioned door, the home is lined with Kamakura-bori wood sculptures. Head of the family, Kyukei Goto, welcomes visitors with a smile.

Kyukei Goto, third generation head of the family Kamakura-bori

Kamakura-bori artisan Goto is the 29th-generation descendent of legendary temple statue sculptor Unkei, whose works in the early Kamakura period eight centuries ago are today classified as national treasures. In Goto’s workshop, experience the impressive power of this legacy in the latest works of Kamakura-bori, produced in collaboration with contemporary artists.

Goto’s recent works of Kamakura-bori on display

Knowhow and experience tracing an eight century history from the Kamakura Period

Inside his gallery, Goto relates a digestible history of Kamakura-bori, whose Kamakura Period roots begin with Buddhist altar fittings. Much later, violent public backlash erupted against Buddhism during the Meiji restoration in retaliation for temple practices seen as corrupt during the Tokugawa shogunate’s danka system. At this time, Kamakura-bori artisans shifted their focus to popular secular items like tea ceremony sets, furniture, and fixtures, and began adopting naturalistic imagery, the so-called Ka-cho-fu-getsu, or “Flower, bird, wind, moon,” aesthetic.

An elegant workshop gallery house, displaying all kinds of wood carvings

The Goto family’s long legacy of works arrayed before you are filled with secrets and hidden stories, and this is a priceless opportunity to discover these interesting anecdotes. Like the time that a sculptor in the family’s previous generation, while suffering from a major illness, was moved to carve an image of the sleeve of the Buddha of Healing named Bhaiṣajyaguru, or Yakushi Nyorai in Japanese, after the latter appeared to him in a fever dream. Or another time two generations earlier where a Buddha statue was deliberately kept unfinished in order to pass on techniques to later generations. Goto today shares this passion for carrying Kamakura-bori forward into the modern age.

“Robe of the Buddha,” showing the motif of Yakushi Nyorai’s sleeve as carved by a forebear

Mulling over the designs that will remain for over a century

Now at long last, the actual carving begins. Designs are drawn up in the studio behind the gallery, then traced onto a small wood plate. Kamakura-bori, when carefully lacquer finished, is so durable that even in the Meiji period it was guaranteed to last a hundred years. Goto recommends designs of personal importance that you would like to leave to your children and grandchildren.

Design your own motif and trace it onto a small plate (15cm)

Many crafts use motifs as decorations, but Kamakura-bori aims to tell a themed story with its motifs, thanks to its roots in Buddhist iconography. Get creative with the thoughts and stories you want to leave behind, and create a one-of-a-kind piece. The size of the plate for this experience is 15 cm, but you can upgrade to an 18 cm plate for an additional fee.

A larger plate is available as an optional upgrade.

Whet your mind while chiseling grooves into the wood

Experience carving with an easily-wielded chisel under the watchful guidance of Goto. This is the essence of Kamakura-bori. Begin by cutting the outline of your motif, then move to sculpting out from there with unhurried care.

The triangular-bladed chisel is an easy-carving tool, even for beginners.

The flat image gradually expresses a three-dimensional shape as you carve the wood and contour it with various carving knives, revealing the joy of sculpting. It’s more than just the finished product. The feeling in your fingers of chiseling shapes into the wood, the crisp sound in your ears of the knife’s bite into the supple wood, the unique Kamakura-bori practice of carving the negative space. In three and a half hours of concentrating on the wood’s grain and texture as you carve, it’s easy to lose yourself and forget about the passage of time. And in the end, a small plate bearing your vision emerges.

Carved wood gains a lively, expressive warmth

The captivating beauty of lacquered Kamakura-bori

Expert lacquerware artisans coat each piece with several layers of urushi lacquer over the course of several months before having them delivered. This Japanese lacquer is a precious material also used in the preservation and restoration of national treasures. The hikuchi-nuri coating technique gives carved designs extra texture and prominence, and a slightly worn appearance. The carved wooden plate has now become stately lacquerware.

Layer after layer of lacquer enhances strength and sophistication

Change the color of the lacquer (that will coat your plate) from red to black.

A personalized artist signature stamp and paulownia wood display box available as an exclusive add-on are perfect for giving your work as a gift.

Optional paulownia wood box and artist’s rubber stamp seal, engraved with your favorite kanji or other design

Traditional Kamakura-bori is as renowned for its durability as for its beauty. Use only increases its luster, and molds it to your hand. Put it to use in your day-to-day as a cake or pastry plate, or a jewelry holder.