Lacquer-Painted Deer Leather-based Craft in Yamanashi

If there’s one craft that’s intrinsically associated to Japan, it’s Japanese lacquer. Earlier than people ever rode horses, the indigenous peoples of the islands of Japan had been already utilizing this unique varnish of their artifacts courting way back to 7,000 BCE. Medieval Europeans craved the qualities of Japanese lacquerware, which they bought from merchants on the Silk Street to the purpose {that a} race between maritime powers was run to find the supply. The Portuguese arrived first, then the Dutch. The remainder is historical past.

As we flip our gazes to Yamanashi prefecture, we’ll uncover that this prefecture can also be a widely known place in Japan for one more arcane refinement: deerskin leather-based. In Yamanashi, the custom of patterned leather-based crafting dates from the eighth century. 300 years earlier than William the Conqueror sailed North to England along with his Normans, artisans from Yamanashi had been already adept at deerskin, which later turned a most popular materials for samurai armor. 

The phrase “Inden” is claimed to be an abbreviation for a way launched to Japan from the Silk Street (India). Koshu Inden, which originated in Koshu (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) and is made from tanned deerskin with a lacquer sample, was used for armor and helmets throughout the Warring States Interval (sixteenth century), brightly adorning the warlords’ finery. Within the Edo interval (seventeenth–nineteenth century), it turned widespread amongst retailers and unfold as a sensible merchandise. Right here’s the place you’ll be able to expertise the attraction of Koshu Inden, the concord of soppy deerskin and high-quality lacquer, in Yamanashi.

Inden-ya, the Roots of Koshu Inden

In simply an hour and a half prepare trip from downtown Tokyo, you’ll be able to step into Inden-ya (印傳屋) in Kofu Metropolis (甲府市), the place the standard Koshu Inden approach has been handed down for greater than 400 years. The top of the household, Yushichi Uehara, is now in his 14th era, and the Inden approach has been handed down from era to era by the patriarch, Yushichi alone.

Inden-ya provides trendy merchandise that add newness to custom whereas always refining its methods all through its lengthy historical past. Right here, you’ll see varied patterns, from conventional to fashionable, comparable to tombo (dragonfly) and kozakura (cherry blossom). 

Inden Museum, a Historic Legacy of Yamanashi’s Lacquer-painted Craft

For a lengthier and extra graphical clarification for these within the intricacies of the Koshu Inden approach and its historical past, there’s additionally the Inden Museum (印傳博物館), on the second flooring of the principle Inden-ya retailer. With a group of roughly 1,500 gadgets, the museum provides particular exhibitions based mostly on themes. Step again in time to the previous, and really feel the depth of Inden much more.

It’s higher fitted to small teams of lower than ten individuals, however it will probably accommodate extra if a reservation and a few preparations are made beforehand. It’s a genuinely profound museum, well-curated and deserving of visiting, so be ready to spend extra time right here than you might need imagined.

The right way to Get to Kofu Metropolis in Yamanashi

Yamanashi’s Kofu Metropolis is definitely accessible by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and different main cities. The Azusa or Kaiji Restricted Categorical from Shinjuku Station can take you on to Yamanashi’s Kofu Station by way of the JR Chuo Line (approx. 1 hour and 30 min.) A good cheaper choice is to take one of many freeway buses departing from all main cities to Kofu Station .

The Inden-ya and Inden Museum are roughly quarter-hour on foot from Kofu Station.

Inden-ya will proceed to ship Japanese leather-based craft tradition to individuals’s hearts and minds, sending priceless handmade merchandise produced by artisans from Japan to the world whereas cherishing the sensitivity of Japanese individuals who recognize nature.

Sponsored by: Yamanashi Prefecture