OWARI Butsugu (Buddhist Implements) is a craft that has been produced mainly in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, since the early Edo period. Using high-quality timber sourced from the Owari region, it developed in the late Edo period as a side job for lower-ranking samurai. It primarily consists of wooden lacquerware, characterized by its diverse processes and vibrant finishes.

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. In the case of Buddhist statues, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The dimensions of the lumber shall be determined using the "lumber splitting method".
  (2) The sculpture of the Buddha statue shall be made by one of the following methods.
  (i) In the case of marquetry, the rough cutting and joining of the wood are followed by "rough cutting," "small-scale construction," and "inner hollowing," and then "finishing."
  (b) In the case of a single-piece construction, the rough-cut wood is subjected to "rough cutting" and "small-scale construction," followed by "finishing."
  (3) Painting (excluding cases where kaya, sandalwood, or camphor wood is used for the base wood) shall be done by hand-painting with refined lacquer, using the "tate-nuri," "roiro-nuri," "suri-urushi-nuri," or "kawari-nuri" techniques.
  (4) If coloring is to be applied, it shall be done using "vivid colors," "wood coloring," or "gold coloring."
  (5) If maki-e is to be applied, it shall be either "keshifun maki-e" or "togidashi maki-e".

   

  2. In the case of the mokugyo (wooden fish drum), the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) Shaping should be done using chisels and planes.
  (2) Inner carving is the process of hollowing out the inside using an "inner carving chisel".
  (3) The sound should be adjusted using a "sound-adding chisel".
  (4) The painting shall be done by hand with refined lacquer, using the "tate-nuri" (vertical painting), "roiro-nuri" (black lacquer painting), "suri-urushi-nuri" (rubbed lacquer painting), or "kawari-nuri" (variant painting) techniques.
  (5) If coloring is to be applied, it shall be done using "vivid coloring," "wood coloring," or "gold coloring."
  (6) If maki-e is to be applied, it shall be either "keshifun maki-e" or "togidashi maki-e".

   

  3. In the case of trees and flowers, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) For pattern making, use a "template" or "square measure".
  (2) The stems shall be bent by "splitting" or "hot bending".
  (3) Rough carving is done by scoop carving.
  (4) In the case of a gold leaf finish or a foil-painted finish, refined lacquer shall be hand-applied under the foil.
  (5) The painting shall be done by hand with refined lacquer, using the "tate-nuri," "roiro-nuri," "suri-urushi-nuri," or "kawari-nuri" techniques.
  (6) If coloring is to be applied, it shall be done using "vivid colors," "wood coloring," or "gold coloring."
  (7) If maki-e is to be applied, it shall be either "keshifun maki-e" or "togidashi maki-e".

   

  4. In the case of wooden Buddhist or Shinto ritual objects (excluding Buddhist statues, wooden fish drums, and wooden flower ornaments), the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) When making the shape, use a "template" or "square measure," and the assembly shall be done using a "mortise and tenon joint" method.
  (2) The painting shall be done by hand with refined lacquer, using the "tate-nuri" (vertical painting), "roiro-nuri" (black lacquer painting), "suri-urushi-nuri" (rubbed lacquer painting), or "kawari-nuri" (variant painting) techniques.
  (3) In the case of a gold leaf finish or a foil-painted finish, refined lacquer shall be hand-applied under the foil.
  (4) The carving shall be done by hand using a chisel or carving knife.
  (5) If coloring is to be applied, it shall be done using "vivid colors," "wood coloring," or "gold coloring."
  (6) The metal fittings shall be made by "hair engraving," "hammering," or "ground carving."
  (7) If maki-e is to be applied, it shall be either "keshifun maki-e" or "togidashi maki-e".

   

  raw materials

  1. The following raw materials shall be used for Buddhist statues.
  (1) The wood used shall be pine, cypress, kaya, sandalwood, or timber of equivalent quality.
  (2) The lacquer used shall be natural lacquer.

  2. For the wooden fish drum, the following raw materials shall be used.
  (1) The wood used shall be camphor wood, mulberry wood, zelkova wood, or timber of equivalent quality.
  (2) The lacquer used shall be natural lacquer.

  3. For wood and flowers, the following raw materials shall be used.
  (1) The base wood shall be pine, cypress, sawara cypress, or timber of equivalent quality.
  (2) The lacquer used shall be natural lacquer.

  4. For wooden Buddhist or Shinto ritual objects (excluding Buddhist statues, wooden fish drums, and wooden flower ornaments), the following raw materials shall be used.
  (1) The wood used shall be pine, cypress, zelkova, paulownia, or timber of equivalent quality.
  (2) The lacquer used shall be natural lacquer.
  (3) Decorative metal fittings shall be made of copper, copper alloy, or a metal of equivalent material.