Wood Craft
Hamamatsu-Ya shop
manufacturing and sales
Hakone Town, Japan
describing the Yoseigi-zaiku process
Yoseigi-zaiku is beautifully created wooden inlaid work, made by the careful selection and setting of designs to from unique patterns, contrived entirely from natural colored woods. No inks or dyes have been utilized in creating any of the colors used in any of the pieces of woods selected.
combining the natural colors and grains of wood
Highly skilled craftsmen work to combine the natural colors and grains of wood in order to create harmonious pieces of work and art.
box made from the thinly sliced wood
These extraordinary techniques have been developed especially in the Hatajuku district, in the Hakone area, dating back from as early as the Edo period (1600-1868). Presently such work can not be found outside the area.
cutter is used to slice the sheets wafer-thin
colored wood in patterned sections
There are 2 methods to produce such attractive pieces.
The first method involves
affixing slivers of colored wood into patterned sections and then sticking
all of the sections together to from a larger pattern. With great care
planed sheets of the patterned wood is then thinly sliced and affixed to the
secret boxes and other goods. A special cutter is used to slice the sheets
wafer-thin precisely.
meticulously carved and shaped
The second technique entails using larger blocks of patterned wood directly
as goods. The colorfully designed blocks of wood are meticulously carved
and shaped to create various kinds of dishes, vases and numerous other
goods.
the final box with multiple slides
needed to open
At the present time, YOSEIGI HANDICRAFTS HAKONE have been officially authorized
by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and are protected as a national
handicraft.
handout sampleses
by adding or removing a layer, Mt Fiji can be snow capped or in summer brown
what Mt Fuji looks like in March
This society within the Hatajuku area, is wholly dedicated to the further
improvement in quality and design of exquisitely unique wooden handicrafts.
NAMES OF SOME OF THE COLORED WOOD USED IN THE DESIGNS
WHITES: GreenCalabash, Spindle Tree, Mizuki
YELLOWS: Lacquer Tree, Sumac,Nigaki
GREYS: Honoki
LIGHT BROWNS: Japanese Pagoda Tree, Camphor, Cherry & Mulberry Trees,
Keyaki-Zelkova
BROWNS: Walnut, Keyaki Jindai(a kind of Zelkova) BLACKS: Japanese Judas Tree,
Kurogaki
HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
If the surface should become marked, use a soft damp cloth to gently wipe the
surface. Avoid using detergents or cleansers of any kind that may scratch or
harm the surface.
Avoid direct sunlight, and keep the goods away from high temperatures and
humidity for longevity.
Nearby buildings in this small town
local shrine
typical local Ryokan
