Wood and Bamboo Craft Industry

From Side Jobs of Shipbuilders to a Thriving Industry

In 1585, when Hachisuka Iemasa, the first lord of the Tokushima Domain (then called Awa) entered Awa Province, he built Tokushima Castle on the natural terrain at the mouth of the Shinmachi River, a location well-suited for water transport. Around the castle, he developed a castle town where Samurai, merchants, and artisans resided. On the eastern edge of the town (present-day Itō district), the domain established an essential naval base known as the Atake-yakusho. This area housed approximately 200 shipbuilders who were responsible for constructing and repairing military vessels.
 
However, since these shipbuilders had limited income from their main work, they relied on a side business, using leftover wood from ship construction to make household goods such as wooden lids, charcoal boxes, and dustpans to support their livelihood. These side jobs marked the origins of Tokushima’s wood and bamboo craft industry.
 
*The photo shows the present-day ruins of Tokushima Castle.

300 Years of Side Work Becomes a Full-Fledged Industry

After more than 300 years, the abolition of feudal domains in 1871 left many shipbuilders without work. Some of them, however, turned their highly skilled craftsmanship into a full-time trade, producing daily necessities. Due to their association with the Atake area, these products came to be known as Atake-mono. Over time, production expanded to include items such as dressers, sewing boxes, sliding doors, and paulownia clogs.

Establishing the Wood and Bamboo Industry During the Economic Boom

The industry further evolved to produce a variety of wooden products, including furniture, Buddhist altars, and architectural fittings. Around 1885, the production of dressing tables began in the Atake district, gradually expanding in scale. During Japan’s post-war economic boom(roughly from the 1950s to the early 1990s), the demand for dressing tables surged, making them one of Tokushima’s signature woodworking products.
 
With dressing tables at the center of production, the industry expanded to include wedding furniture sets such as wardrobes, living room sofas and tables, traditional zataku tables and room dividers, and even wooden flooring and decorative columns. By 1990, Tokushima had become a major hub for woodworking, with the furniture and interior industry reaching a shipment value of 115.8 billion yen.

Modern Shift – Adapting to Market Needs

Today, Tokushima’s wood and bamboo craft industry has shifted from its traditional focus on dressers and wardrobes to contract furniture for residential, commercial, and public facilities. Manufacturers of zataku tables and flooring have transitioned to producing solid wood furniture, while dresser chair makers have pivoted toward crafting legged furniture. By leveraging their craftsmanship, Tokushima’s woodworkers continue to create high-quality products that cater to contemporary market demands, ensuring the industry’s ongoing growth.

Originating as a side business for shipbuilders and evolving into a major industry, Tokushima’s wood and bamboo craft industry is distinguished by its elegant curved designs, beautiful wood grain, and exceptional finishing techniques. Behind this aesthetic excellence lies the craftsmanship honed over generations.

Curves – Forming Techniques

One of the defining features of Tokushima’s woodworking is the beauty of its curved forms, achieved by bending wood. These curves play a crucial role in both the appearance and usability of products. They are created by placing wood into molds and applying pressure with a press machine. The precision required in crafting curved furniture makes this technique highly sought after, especially for custom furniture and product development.

Wood Grain – The Mokuhari (Veneer Application) Technique

"Moku" refers to thinly sliced sheets of wood that are applied to a base structure to create a consistent and aesthetically pleasing wood grain. Even within the same tree species, individual pieces of wood exhibit unique grain patterns. This technique is particularly valuable in large-scale architecture and spaces where multiple wooden elements need to maintain visual harmony.

Finishing – Advanced Coating Techniques

The final step in woodworking involves coating techniques that enhance the product’s shine and luxurious feel. Methods such as polyester coating, polyurethane coating, and UV coating have been developed and perfected. Although these techniques emerged later, in the 1950s, Tokushima’s expertise in coatings has since reached a level recognized as among the best in the industry.

Blending Traditional Techniques

Today, Tokushima’s wood and bamboo craft industry is also incorporating traditional elements such as Awa indigo dyeing and Awa washi paper, resulting in innovative new products. These uniquely Tokushima creations continue to attract global attention and are steadily increasing in value.