Wooden figure by Takahashi

NARA ITTOBORI DOLLS, NOBLE EDGE AND DESIGN BY CARVINGS.

If you are visiting Nara prefecture, check out Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi's wood carvings. Their gallery is open irregularly and mandatories to check in advance, but should worth your effort.

Here's a brief note.

Nara Ittobori (AKA Nara Ningyo), is a Japanese traditional wooden craft, carved by chisel and colorfully painted. It obviously, originated in Nara. Only tool that is to carve wood is chisel, so the shape of figures (or dolls) tend to be dynamic and stirring. Vivid coloring is often used. (奈良一刀彫 or 奈良人形)

As a married couple, Takahashi's work is simply divided by two processes, carving and painting. Carved by the husband and painted by the wife.

Rooster Zodiac - Tori, (酉, とり).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

6.4×4.3×7.4cm (Small)

8.7×5.4×8.3cm (Large)

This zodiac concept is called "Eto" (干支, えと) in Japan. Each year is assigned with different animal for 12-year cycle. (2017 is year of Tori.)

Monkey Zodiac - Saru, (申, さる).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

¥48,600 (Ex Large)

Size:

6.5×5.5×10cm (Small)

7.5×6.5×11.5cm (Large)

11×9×17.5cm (Ex Large)

Year of monkey was 2016, next is 2028.

Sheep Zodiac - Hitsuji, (羊, ひつじ).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

10.5×4.5×7.2cm (Small)

12×5×8cm85cm (Large)

Horse Zodiac - Uma, (午, うま).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

9×4×9cm (Small)

10×4.5×10cm (Large)

Snake Zodiac - Hebi, (巳, へび).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

6.3×6×7cm (Small)

10×4.5×10cm (Large)

Dragon Zodiac - Tatsu, (辰, たつ)

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

10.5×4.5×6.3cm (Small)

12×5×7.5cm (Large)

Rabbit Zodiac - Usagi, (卯, うさぎ).

Price:

¥8,640 (Small)

¥10,584 (Large)

Size:

5×6.5×8cm (Small)

7×7.5×9cm (Large)

Gusoku.

Price:

¥86,400 (Size 3)

¥135,000 (Size 4)

¥199,800 (Size 5)

Size:

8×7×13cm (Size 3)

10.5×9.5×16.5cm (Size 4)

12×11×17cm (Size 5)

Soul of samurai, "Gusoku". To be precise, such decorative armor can be worn by the highest officers or Shogun of the army.

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Where to buy: "Ittobori Takahashi"

Address: 779-12, Iwasaka, Sakurai city, Nara

Open hours: 10:00 to 17:00

Closed on: Irregularly

Google map.

Call up 0744-47-8764 for a pick up when you arrive Hasedera station of Kintetsu.

It may be wise to check his gallery's schedule beforehand.

Takahashi Yuji official site.

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~u-takahashi/index.htm

Exhibition schedule.

Google translated.

#Handmade #Traditional