Tourist Site of Hida City -Takumi (the Master)/Ichii-Itto Bori (One Knife Carving)-


Takumi (the Master)　- Ichii-Itto Bori (One Knife Carving) -

“Ichii” is a name of tree and also related to the title, “Shoichii Title”, the highest title. Upon accession of the emperor about 800 years ago (called “Heiji” era), the scepter (ladle) made from this “Ichii” tree was presented from Hida to the emperor. Because it was more beautiful and high-quality than others made from different materials, it was given the highest title, “Shoichii Title.” Later, its academic name became formally “Ichii” and it is still used at the emperor accession and removal ceremony of Ise-Jingu Shrine. A sculpture made from such precious wood, “Ichii” by a craftsman who puts his/her heart respectfully in each carve is called Ichii-Itto Bori (One Knife Carving).

Characteristics
•	The annual ring is extremely fine.
•	The contrast is beautiful between the white part called “Shirata” that exists within 1 cm (0.4 in.) from the bark and the red part “Akata” that extends to the core part.
•	As it grows for years, the contrast becomes more vivid and its luster increases to make the tree more distinct and attractive.



Origin of Ichii-Itto Bori (One Knife Carving)
The originator was “Sukenaga Matsuda” who was the disciple of “Sukemoto Hirata”, the rooted tree sculptor born in Takayama and was famous at Edo (Tokyo now) during the end of Edo period. Sukenaga sculpted a wide range of objects from small creatures as snake, frog and turtle to people. He left two styles of work. One is realistic and the other is simple composed of “Face” and “Line”. Ichii-Itto Bori (One Knife Carving) is succeeded to the present age and recognized as the traditional craft arts by the Minister of International Trade and Industry in May, 1975.