Craft · No. 163
No. 163仏壇･仏具
Yamagata Butsudan (Yamagata Buddhist Altars)
山形仏壇
yamagata butsudan · 山形県
Yamagata Butsudan are traditional Buddhist household altars crafted in Yamagata Prefecture, distinguished by their elaborate combination of lacquerwork, gold leaf, intricate wood carving, and fine metalwork, resulting in altars of exceptional richness and solemnity.
- Origin
- 山形県
- Category
- 仏壇･仏具
- Materials
- Wood · Lacquer · Gold
- Designation
- Nat'l Traditional Craft
No. IHistory
The craft of Buddhist altar-making in Yamagata traces its roots to the Edo period, when the city flourished as a castle town and growing Buddhist devo…
No. IIMaterials
No. IIITechniques
Yamagata Butsudan are produced through a strict division of labor among specialist artisans. Wood-body craftsmen (kidashi) prepare each structural com…
No. IVClimate
Yamagata's inland climate brings heavy snowfall and long winters, historically freeing farmers and townspeople to focus on skilled handwork during the…
