Story
A traditional technique of carving a shape out of a thick board or log with a plane while rotating the material on a lathe. You can see work demonstrations at Kijishi no Sato (wood turners’ village).
Overview
Nagiso lathed woodcrafts are manufactured around Nagiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture. The traditional crafts were born in the early 18th century. They are manufactured with a technique of lathe craft.
The feature of the technique is to keep the natural beauty of wood grain. Serving trays and tea bins are the main products. The fine wood from the abundant forests in Kiso is the source of the lathed woodcrafts.
Points of Interest
You can see the technique of rotating wood on a lathe and carving it by wood turners who know everything about wood.
Interview
Mr. Nohara, president of Nagiso Lathed Woodcrafts Cooperative
Nagiso lathed woodcrafts have a history and tradition of over 1,000 years.
We interviewed Mr. Nohara. He is the president of Nohara Crafts Co. Limited.
“As migrant group, wood turners of lathe craft used to move about and do their business.
When they finally reached Urushibata, Nagiso 140 years ago, they consisted of 30 families.
It was in the Meiji period. They used water mills to drive lathes at that time. They continued to use water mills until around 1955. At that time I was about 10 year old. I remember that they were making serving trays and tea bins.”
“A feature of lathe craft in Nagiso is to keep the beauty of wood grain.
It’s important to judge wood just by watching raw wood. It requires a high level of skill.”
A feature of lathe craft in Nagiso is to keep the beauty of wood grain
A feature of lathe craft in Nagiso is to keep the beauty of wood grain
Everyday items create beauty and texture as we use them.
Usually wood has long grain. It is called flat grain, and it is interesting that grain is vertical or horizontal depending on the kind of woodcrafts. I recommend seeing one.
Speaking of Kijishi no Sato, we are thinking of combining lathes and tourism somehow.
Nowadays, we make audio speakers and ball-pointed pens with lathes. It is rare, isn’t it? We hope to let such works known and boost tourism.
Products and business are necessary, but I wish that many people will see this town,” he said gently.
Attractions
You can see the technique of rotating wood on a lathe and carving it by wood turners who know everything about wood.
Access
From the closest station & interchange
From Nagiso Station on the JR Chuo Line
30 minutes by bus
From the Nakatsugawa Interchange
50 minutes by car
Address
Nagiso Lathed Woodicrafts Cooperative
4689 Azuma, Nagiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-5302
Phone:0264-58-2434
