The making of Sendai tansu (samurai chests)
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Discover the dynamic craftsmanship behind Sendai tansu – ornate chests of drawers from Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan – brought to life through live demonstrations by three master craftspeople.
Sendai tansu are crafted through a fusion of three specialized skills: woodworking, urushi lacquering and metalwork, each demonstrated on stage during this special event.
Each artisan plays a vital role. The woodworker assembles the structure of the chest, carving precise interlocking joints for strength and durability. The urushi lacquerer polishes the surface using a sharpening stone, before applying multiple layers of urushi to achieve a mirror-like finish. The metalworker shapes the iron fittings, embossing intricate designs into 1.2 mm sheets of iron using tagane chisels.
The event begins with a short presentation on Miyagi Prefecture and an introduction to Sendai tansu by Yunome Rikiya of the Sendai Tansu Cooperative Association. Live demonstrations by woodworker Sekiya Shūichi, urushi lacquerer Kanno Yūki and metal-fittings maker Hasebe Yoshikatsu follow, concluding with a Q&A session
This demonstration forms part of a wider programme including a talk on the history and characteristics of Sendai tansu (17 July), hands-on embossing workshops (18 July) and drop-in demonstrations and a mini tansu-making workshop (19 July).
Booking Essential | Admission Free
Get Tickets
Sendai tansu are crafted through a fusion of three specialized skills: woodworking, urushi lacquering and metalwork, each demonstrated on stage during this special event.
Each artisan plays a vital role. The woodworker assembles the structure of the chest, carving precise interlocking joints for strength and durability. The urushi lacquerer polishes the surface using a sharpening stone, before applying multiple layers of urushi to achieve a mirror-like finish. The metalworker shapes the iron fittings, embossing intricate designs into 1.2 mm sheets of iron using tagane chisels.
The event begins with a short presentation on Miyagi Prefecture and an introduction to Sendai tansu by Yunome Rikiya of the Sendai Tansu Cooperative Association. Live demonstrations by woodworker Sekiya Shūichi, urushi lacquerer Kanno Yūki and metal-fittings maker Hasebe Yoshikatsu follow, concluding with a Q&A session
This demonstration forms part of a wider programme including a talk on the history and characteristics of Sendai tansu (17 July), hands-on embossing workshops (18 July) and drop-in demonstrations and a mini tansu-making workshop (19 July).
Booking Essential | Admission Free
Get Tickets
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