Overview of producing areas Kishu traditional chest

Kishu traditional chest Kishu traditional chest
産地風景 産地風景

Overview

The Kishu traditional chest is a traditional work of art that exemplifies Wakayama, “Land of Trees.” Wood cut in the mountains is transported on the Kino-kawa River to the river mouth and the final destination of Wakayama City, where high-quality materials and craftspeople come together to produce furniture and fittings. The material of the Kishu traditional chest is white-colored, light, flexible paulownia wood. Paulownia has the property of absorbing moisture during periods of high humidity and releasing it during dryness. It is able to maintain consistent humidity, making it useful for storing items of clothing and other possessions in Japan's climate.
産地風景
産地風景
産地風景
産地風景
産地風景
産地風景
作業の様子 作業の様子

Scenes of work

<i>Kidori</i> (timber sawing)
01

Kidori (timber sawing)

The bark is examined and the wood is cut in the appropriate places for use in doors, sliding doors, and other parts, without waste.

Wooden nail production
02

Wooden nail production

Wooden nails are heated together with bran to drive out the internal moisture and spread the oils in the bran over the surface.

Aligning and assembling components
03

Aligning and assembling components

Finely-grained bark is used for the doors. This determines the impression given by the chest. All processing is performed by the skilled hands of craftspeople. Their experience and intuitive feel brings out the beauty of the paulownia wood to its utmost.

High airtightness
04

High airtightness

The chests are both beautiful and airtight. When a drawer is gently pushed in, the adjacent drawer will smoothly slide outward.

伝統工芸の種類 伝統工芸の種類

Traditional crafts of Wakayama

伝統工芸の種類