Woodcarver's Workshops Line the Stone-paved Streets
Inami is well known for its wood sculptors, originally developed as a temple town around the famous Zuisen-ji Temple. The history of woodworking in Inami can be traced all the way back to the fire that burned down Zuisen-ji Temple in 1763. In order to rebuild it, a wood sculptor by the name of Sanshiro Maekawa was dispatched from Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto to teach his craft to the local carpenters. And so began Inami's wood carving tradition.
Since then the temple has undergone multiple reconstructions and accumulated many fine examples of Inami woodworking. Countless examples of these exquisite carving techniques remain standing to this day for us to view at the main hall, the Taishi hall and the temple gates. Every 4 years in Inami, wood sculptors from around the world are invited to create works of art in full view of the public. During the 'Nanto CIty Inami International Wooden Sculpture Camp', you can watch these artists as they create sculptures from raw timber.
If you take a walk down Yokamachidori Street leading towards Zuisen-ji Temple, you'll see countless woodcarver's workshops lining the streets.
Here, in this place where young craftsmen from across the country come to learn the trade, it could be said that town itself is walking side by side with the art of woodworking. So it might surprise you when you spot a sign hanging from a woodcarver's workshop saying "Come on in!" at just how open the woodcarver's workshops in Inami really are. You creak open the front door and are greeted with a "Good morning!" as you step inside. The craftsman continues his work and invites you to watch. This common scenario really makes you appreciate the sophisticated & open-minded nature of Inami's woodworking culture. In these woodcarver's workshops, you can immerse yourself in a comforting sense of quietude between the gentle swings of their mallets.
Since then the temple has undergone multiple reconstructions and accumulated many fine examples of Inami woodworking. Countless examples of these exquisite carving techniques remain standing to this day for us to view at the main hall, the Taishi hall and the temple gates. Every 4 years in Inami, wood sculptors from around the world are invited to create works of art in full view of the public. During the 'Nanto CIty Inami International Wooden Sculpture Camp', you can watch these artists as they create sculptures from raw timber.
If you take a walk down Yokamachidori Street leading towards Zuisen-ji Temple, you'll see countless woodcarver's workshops lining the streets.
Here, in this place where young craftsmen from across the country come to learn the trade, it could be said that town itself is walking side by side with the art of woodworking. So it might surprise you when you spot a sign hanging from a woodcarver's workshop saying "Come on in!" at just how open the woodcarver's workshops in Inami really are. You creak open the front door and are greeted with a "Good morning!" as you step inside. The craftsman continues his work and invites you to watch. This common scenario really makes you appreciate the sophisticated & open-minded nature of Inami's woodworking culture. In these woodcarver's workshops, you can immerse yourself in a comforting sense of quietude between the gentle swings of their mallets.
