Mr. Ikkyō Kitazawa of Kitazawa Woodcarving Studio in Katsushika Ward is a craftsman who sees woodcarving not as a skill to be taught, but as something learned through a deep engagement with one’s tools. He personally sharpens over 300 chisels, mastering each tool in order to bring out the forms hidden within the wood through dialogue with the material itself.

This approach reflects the teaching he inherited from his master: “teach the path to make a living.” Following the profound turning point of losing his life partner, Mr. Kitazawa’s carving deepened further. Through his work on Butsudan (Buddhist altars), he realized that the form to be carved already exists within the wood, and his role is simply to remove what is unnecessary.

His style, characterized by the thorough elimination of excess and the emergence of the subject in its purest form, has been described as appearing ready to move at any moment. Having created works that remain in people’s memories—such as the grand mikoshi of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine and the lion heads of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple—Mr. Kitazawa regards his pieces not as self-expression, but as entities that resonate with the hearts of people and endure across generations.

Each one-of-a-kind sculpture, born from a sincere encounter with the wood, embodies Mr. Kitazawa’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

Woodcarving is a traditional Japanese craft deeply connected to the country’s spiritual culture, exemplified by Buddhist and Shinto statues as well as Noh masks. Over a long history, it has cultivated a refined aesthetic sense and advanced techniques that continue to be passed down today.

A crucial aspect of the craft is understanding the characteristics of each type of wood and bringing out its unique qualities to the fullest. For example, dense, durable zelkova (keyaki) is ideal for decorative carvings on temple and shrine architecture, where it withstands wind and rain while retaining its strength and beautiful grain over the years. In contrast, lightweight, easy-to-carve hinoki cypress is suited to Noh masks, producing delicate expressions and a soft, elegant presence.

In carving, meticulous attention is paid to the depth of cuts, subtle surface undulations, and the way light falls, striving to capture a harmony of stillness and movement. The resulting works combine a dignified power with serene beauty, leaving a lasting impression on those who behold them.

Japanese woodcarving is thus a craft in which material, technique, and spirituality come together, preserving and conveying a tradition of uniquely Japanese aesthetic beauty to the present day.