SENDAI Tansu (Chests) grew as a local industry in the Sendai domain from the late Edo period onward. They are characterized by their kijiro lacquer finish, which brings out the wood grain, and the use of luxurious metal decorative fittings.

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. Woodworking shall be carried out using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) The joining of the main body components shall be carried out by the following techniques or methods:
  (i) The shelves shall be joined to the side boards by mortise and tenon joints, dovetail joints, mortise and tenon joints, or double mortise and tenon joints.
  (b) The base plate shall be joined to the side plate by dovetail joints or by mortise and tenon joints.
  (h) The top panel and side panels shall be joined by dovetail joints, front dovetail joints, front dovetail joints, or front dovetail joints with concealed dovetail joints.
  (ii) The partition boards shall be joined to the top board, shelves and bottom board by dovetail joints, single-sided mortise and tenon joints, or double-sided mortise and tenon joints.
  (e) The back panels shall be joined by flat joints or mortise and tenon joints.

  (2) When attaching a base ring, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (i) The joints between the front plate and the side plate of the four-sided base, recessed base, and wheel base shall be made by external fastening and internal mortise and tenon joint.
  (b) The connection between the apron and the legs of the cat-leg base shall be made by mortise and tenon joint.

  (3) The drawer components shall be joined by the following techniques or methods:
  (i) The front panel and the side panels shall be joined by a bare-body notched joint, a mortise and tenon joint, or a dovetail joint.
  (b) The joint between the side panel and the front panel shall be a three-piece mortise and tenon joint.

  (4) When attaching doors, the members shall be joined by a mortise and tenon joint, a concealed mortise and tenon joint, or a mortise and tenon joint.

   

  2. Painting shall be carried out using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) In the case of Kijiro lacquer coating, a base coat is made using raw lacquer, a top coat is applied using Kijiro lacquer, the top coat is sanded, and then the "body sanding" is performed.
  (2) In the case of wipe-on lacquering, raw lacquer shall be applied repeatedly, and then a "finish wipe" shall be performed using refined raw lacquer or transparent lacquer.

   

  3. The manufacture of metal fittings shall be carried out using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) "Outline carving" shall be done by hand using carving chisels, fish-shaped chisels, and line carving chisels.
  (2) The "hammering" process shall be carried out by hand using a hammering chisel, lead base, and hammer.
  (3) "Cutting off" shall be done by hand using a cutting chisel, a pulling chisel and a hammer.
  (4) "Sanding" is done by hand using a file.
  (5) Inlay work shall be done by hand using brass and boric acid.
  (6) Hinges, locks, keys and auxiliary fittings shall be made by hand.
  (7) Hand-drawn shape is formed by hammering by hand into the shape of "warabite," "mokko," "hirute," or "kakute."
  (8) Rust prevention and finishing shall be carried out in the case of iron fittings by baking on cotton or lacquer and applying wax and polishing with a cloth, and in the case of copper fittings by using sulfides.

   

  raw materials

  1. The wood used shall be zelkova, chestnut, cedar, cypress, paulownia, or elm, or a material of equivalent quality.
  2. The lacquer used must be natural lacquer.
  3. The metal fittings shall be made of iron, copper, silver, or brass.