Craft · No. 167
No. 167仏壇･仏具
Iiyama Butsudan (Iiyama Buddhist Altars)
飯山仏壇
iiyama butsudan · 長野県
Iiyama Butsudan are elaborately crafted Buddhist household altars produced in and around Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. Renowned for the seamless integration of fine woodworking, lacquerwork, and metalwork, they embody a devotional aesthetic refined over centuries in one of Japan's snowiest regions.
- Origin
- 長野県
- Category
- 仏壇･仏具
- Materials
- Wood · Lacquer · Gold
- Designation
- Nat'l Traditional Craft
No. IHistory
The origins of Iiyama Butsudan trace back to an era when Buddhist faith — particularly that of the Jodo Shinshu sect — took firm root in the northern…
No. IIMaterials
No. IIITechniques
The production of Iiyama Butsudan relies on a sophisticated division of labor among specialized artisans, including woodworkers (kiji-shi), carvers, l…
No. IVClimate
Iiyama sits in one of Japan's heaviest snowfall zones, where long winters make outdoor work impossible for extended periods. This enforced indoor seas…
