Things that comes to mind when you face a chest

In Iwate, there is a craft called ”Iwatanido Chest”. Originally it was made in the 1100’s during the time when Kiyohira Fujiwara poured a lot of energy into industry and religion. Many years later in the late 1700’s, the lord of Iwatanido castle, Muramasa Iwashiro had one made with wheels. In 1800s the trend was to incorporate decorations using ”Chokin (Metal carving)”. And thus formed the current Iwatanido Chest. We visited the studio Fujisato Mokkojo where Koichi Oikawa makes this Iwatanido Chest.
”I often think, if we didn’t cut this tree it would have lived for several hundred years. We cut those trees to make the chest so we have to make things that will live for hundreds of years. That is why I do not like the current trend of mass production. I would like this to be used by the people who understand the value of the wood.” he said as he looked at the wood.

Things that change with time

Many things changed through the changes in time. For example, metal fixtures. In the old days, the fixtures that adorned the chest was all metal carved by hand by the artists. But nowadays, most are made by casting from one mold. ”However,” Oikawa commented, ”it doesn’t mean carving is good and the casting is bad. It’s a change with time. In fact casting is more heavy and feels better. The value is different with each person.”
The change with time. It is not necessarily bad, but it is natural. But there are things that do not change such as the beauty of the wood. So by combining those things that change and things that do not change, makes the traditions that carry over to the next generations.

There will not be a loss of interest for creation

Oikawa not only carries on the tradition but also takes on new challenges like incorporating a harmonica into a chest. ”I can’t really call this an Iwatanido chest”, he told us as he showed us a chest with a harmonica set in the drawer, so it would play as the drawer was opened.
At Oikawa’s gallery, there were many products which were not chests. Originally he wanted to do carving when he was young. But since you could not start this from the beginning, he entered an apprenticeship under his friend’s father who was a cabinet maker. This is how he became an artisan. With that in mind, he carves as much as he can while in most cases, carving metal is usually done by others with division of labor.
He still has the desire to carve wood. ”I bought a piece of wood intending to do some carving, but the progress has been very slow.” he explained. We look forward to what is going to be carved on it.

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What is “Sendai tansu”

”Sendai tansu” is said to be have started in the late Edo period. It developed as a local industry of the Sendai clan. ”Tansu” was used by ”samurai” to store swords or clothing. A typical ”tansu” is approximately 120cm wide and 90cm tall, but nowadays, tansu of various sizes are produced due to customer demand.
While the ”tansu” is actually not very big, it is magnificent and has a strong presence. Woodworking joints that takes advantage of the characteristics of the wood, lacquering to enhance the beautiful grain of the wood, and above all, the hand embossed metal fittings with motifs of dragons and lions; these elements are what catches the eye.
”These metal fittings are handmade by artisans, and they represent the social status or lineage of each family”, explained Kazuhiro Monma, the seventh generation of Monma Tansuten which creates ”Sendai tansu”.

A showroom that is designated a Cultural Property

Monma Tansuten was founded in 1872 by Tamisaburo Monma, who was the appointed craftsman for the Sendai clan, and has a history of over 140 years. The company has its own lacquer craftsmen and joiners, and produces and sells ”tansu” on-site.
The former family house which was used until two generations ago, is now used as a showroom so people can see how Sendai ”tansu” can be used in everyday life. The house is designated a National Cultural Property.

”Sendai tansu” used to often be a part of dowry or a trousseau.
”But you don’t hear about dowries, nowadays.” Nakata commented.
”That’s true. But many people still use ”tansu”. Recently, smaller sized ”tansu” is popular. And we often get orders to repair older ones.”
Some ”tansu” have been used for more than 100 years. The surface of old ”tansu” is shaved and re-lacquered, making it beautiful and shiny just like new. Looking ahead to the next 100 years, Monma Tnasuten is recruiting and training young craftsmen.

30 steps in lacquering

As previously mentioned, one of the beautiful features of ”Sendai tansu” is the lacquering. Presently, there are various ways ”tansu” is lacquered based on the customer’s wishes, but traditional ”Sendai tansu” uses ”kijiro-nuri” method, which enhances the beauty of the grain of the wood. There are about 30 steps in this process. Painting, sanding and polishing. All 30 steps require delicate work. And ”tansu” is very big. Everything is done by hand, so the lacquer painting alone takes months. The customers are aware of this, and they are willing to wait when ordering a ”Sendai tansu”.

In the workshop, we observed the repairing process. The scarred or damaged surface is shaved clean, and the lacquer applied. Lacquer is applied many times, and then the lacquered surface is sanded and polished. It is very delicate work, and everything changes depending on the finish.
”Sendai tansu is intended to be used for 50 or even 100 years.” says Monma. He is carrying on a tradition which has 140 years of history since its foundation.

But it doesn’t end there. Monma Tansuten is releasing a series of new products with the present lifestyle and future in mind. They are taking on new challenges to create new products such as wine racks and modern furniture in collaboration with designers, using 140 years of craftsmanship. Tradition is truly passed on when its actually used in modern life.

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A job to make metal fittings for Sendai tansu

In our journey, we have already visited the Sendai tansu shop, so please look at the article about Sendai tansu, on its description and history. Traditional Sendai tansu has a set size of 120 centimeters in width and 90 centimeters in height.
That size in not huge, and not so small. You can reach both corners if you stretch your hands, and the height is just about your waist. It is a chest of drawers of useful size, an everyday item.

However, what is so magnificent about Sendai tansu is its gorgeous decorations. Normal tansu have metal handles and metal fittings to fortify the corners. Sendai tansu which were used by samurai, on the other hand, have gorgeous hand embossed metal fittings. They are very eye-catching.
We were able to interview Eikichi Yaegashi of Yaegashi Sendai Tansu Metal Fitting Workshop, who makes these metal fittings.

1300 variations of chisels alone

Yaegashi Sendai Tansu Metal Workshop is an establishment with a history. Yaegashi is the fourth generation, and from his grandfather’s time, the Yaegashi family was devoted to making metal fitting. Sendai tansu are made by division labor, and the joiner, the lacquerer and the blacksmith work separately. So, as a blacksmith, Yaegashi makes metal fittings only.
There are motifs such as dragons, lions and peony, engraved on metal plates. Iron is mostly used but he also uses copper, silver and brass. The metal plates are bulged by beating from the back, then the motifs are engraved on the front side. The sound of the chisels rings rhythmically. While chiseling, he changes chisels many times.
”I didn’t know that there were so many kinds of chisels.”
”There are about 1300 variety. If I include the ones for making wholes, then more.”
In order to engrave a more detailed and dynamic motifs, the skills must be supported by good tools. What’s more the tools are handmade. ”A craftsman must have skills, of course, but what he needs more is good tools.” said Yaegashi.

Making original designs.

There are traditional motifs of the metal fittings of Sendai tansu, such as dragons and lions. Yaegashi often make metal fittings of these traditional designs, but sometimes he draws up his original designs.
”I enjoy it most when I can decide the designs myself.” said Yaegashi. Sometimes customers come to him with a request as to the motif. ”I never refuse any motifs. I am a craftsman, it will be humiliating to say I can’t do it. When I get an order, I really enjoy designing the whole tansu.”
He pursues the traditional motifs thoroughly, and at the same time makes original designs of his own. The requests of customers have changed over the years, due to the change of ways of living., he says. He showed us a set of metal fittings used for Sendai tansu. Each piece was shining brightly, true masterpieces with elegant decorations.

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