Inami Japanese Woodcarving Talk + Live Demo

Learn about Inami woodcarving firsthand with master woodcarver Nambu Hakuun, one of the leading artisan craftsmen of this tradition.

Inami woodcarving (井波彫刻) is a craft tradition from Toyama prefecture, Japan, renowned for its extraordinarily intricate carving techniques. It originated over 250 year ago with the restoration of the local Zuisen-ji Temple following a major fire. The tradition flourished alongside temple architecture and the development of ranma (transoms) used in traditional Japanese homes, and it persisted despite the impacts of rapid global modernization. Today, Inami’s carvers apply their masterful techniques, rooted in a rigorous five-year apprenticeship system, to a wide range of creative works, from traditional commissions to contemporary designs.

Nambu Hakuun will introduce the history of Inami woodcarving, the lineage of his own workshop, and some of his key works across Japan.

Then, he will demonstrate the traditional creation process step by step—from washi paper sketching to rough carving and detailed finishing. Additionally, he will present and discuss his newly created woodcarving “Bridge Between Japan and the U.S.,” a work that intertwines Japanese and American motifs as a gesture of cultural exchange.

The event will conclude with an interactive Q&A, allowing participants to engage directly with the artist and gain deeper insight into this living craft tradition.

This program is presented in partnership with Poiesis. The 2025 Inami Woodcarving Roadshow marks the first time in history that Inami woodcarving is being presented to audiences across the United States.

About Nambu Hakuun

Nambu Hakuun (南部伯雲) is a master woodcarver from Inami, Toyama prefecture, Japan. A third-generation carver, he trained under his father as an apprentice, inheriting techniques passed down for generations. His work can be found in major temples and cultural landmarks across Japan, including Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, and he continues to be a central figure in preserving and innovating within this 250-year-old tradition. In addition to his artistic practice, he is deeply committed to transmitting this craft to future generations and is actively involved in educational and cultural exchange initiatives both in Japan and now internationally.

About Poiesis

Poiesis is an organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing traditional handcrafted decorative arts. Poiesis’s current work centers on Inami woodcarving, a 250-year-old Japanese craft tradition from Toyama prefecture. Partnering directly with the Inami Woodcarving Cooperative, Poiesis works to bring this endangered decorative art to global audiences through documentation, exhibitions, academic collaborations, live demonstrations, and woodcarving commissions that create sustainable economic pathways for master craftsmen, allowing them to sustain apprentices ensure the continuity of the craft for future generations.

Also check out other Arts events in Washington, Workshops in Washington, Exhibitions in Washington.