Wajima Kijishi
Wajima Kijishi (輪島木地師) refers to the specialized woodturning and wood-carving artisans responsible for producing the wooden cores (木地, kiji) used in the lacquerware tradition of Wajima-nuri in Ishikawa Prefecture, located in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The kijishi form the foundational stage of the Wajima lacquerware production system, preparing stable wood bases that are subsequently reinforced, lacquered, and decorated through multi-step collaborative processes. Their role is structurally essential, as the durability and visual refinement of Wajima-nuri depend on the dimensional stability, grain orientation, and shaping accuracy of the base form.
Historical Development
Woodturning and wood-carving crafts in the Noto Peninsula have been documented since the medieval period. The emergence of the kijishi as a distinct professional group in Wajima occurred during the late Muromachi to early Edo period, when lacquer production became more formally organized and labor roles were divided into specialized stages. By the 18th century, guild and workshop structures regulated the sourcing of timber, apprenticeship durations, and production standards for wood cores.
Throughout the Edo period, Wajima kijishi supplied components to an expanding regional lacquer industry. During the Meiji and Taishō eras, modernization of distribution networks increased output volume, but production techniques remained grounded in manual shaping and finishing. Contemporary kijishi continue to work primarily with hand tools and foot-powered or electrically assisted lathes, retaining methods that prioritize controlled grain alignment and surface preparation.
Materials
The primary woods used in Wajima kijishi work include:
- Japanese zelkova (keyaki)
- Japanese cypress (hinoki)
- Magnolia (ho-no-ki) for specific applications
Wood is seasoned to reduce internal stresses and moisture content prior to shaping. Grain orientation is selected to minimize warping and to ensure mechanical stability during lacquer layering and curing.
Techniques
Wajima kijishi employ:
- Lathe turning (挽き物, hikimono): Used for bowls, trays, and cylindrical vessels.
- Carving and shaping (刳り物, kurimono): Applied when hollowing or form-defining cannot be achieved solely on the lathe.
- Surface smoothing: To create an optimal substrate for cloth reinforcement and subsequent lacquer layers.
- Dimensional adjustment: Ensuring precise wall thickness to prevent internal stresses during lacquer curing.
The work of the kijishi directly influences lacquer adhesion, surface tension behaviors, and the eventual optical depth of finishing coats.
Production Context
Wajima lacquerware production is structured around collaborative specialization. The kijishi completes the wooden substrate, which is then transferred to undercoating specialists (下地師), lacquer applicators (上塗師), and finally, decorative specialists such as Wajima Maki-e or Wajima Chinkin artisans. The kijishi do not participate in lacquer application, but their craftsmanship determines the structural foundation of the final object.
Regional Context
The sustained workshop ecology of the Wajima region allows kijishi lineages to maintain continuity of tool handling, timber sourcing, and shaping techniques. Proximity to sea routes facilitated the import of hardwoods when local supplies fluctuated, supporting the craft’s long-term stability.
Modern Context
Wajima kijishi continue to work within both cooperative studio networks and independent workshops. Training is conducted through multi-year apprenticeships emphasizing tool mastery, wood selection, and shaping control. The role remains a core component of Wajima lacquer production and is recognized in regional craft preservation programs.
See Also
- Wajima-nuri
- Wajima Chinkin
- Wajima Maki-e
- Lacquerware
- Kijishi (general woodturning tradition)
References
- Historical workshop records of the Wajima lacquer industry.
- Cultural heritage evaluations of lacquer production labor systems.
- Technical literature on wood preparation for lacquer substrates.
