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CREATION

CHIYODAYA

I-RO-HA

Since ancient times, Buddhist altars(Butsudan) have been placed in the most important room of the house and have been cherished. It is decorated with pictures of ancestors and flowers and has been a place to pray for the health of the family and to recite daily wishes. It also provides a time for people to reflect on themselves habitually.

Buddhist altars(Butsudan)are made through various processes by many craftsmen. Mr. Kushida, the third generation of Chiyodaya, has long been involved in lacquering, Roiro (gold) coloring, and assembly. He also focuses on restoration work for temples.  

We have produced the vanity box “I-RO-HA” by utilizing our abundant knowledge and skilled techniques cultivated over the years.  
“I-RO-HA” is named after the Japanese word “iroha,” which means the basics of things or procedures.  
Also, the “I” in I-RO-HA stands for intimate, “Ro” for routine, and “Ha” for harmony. They represent our hope that you will spend time reflecting on and having a dialogue with yourself. Available in three different sizes, the vanity boxes comes with a mirror, a lid/door, or a drawer, allowing you to combine them in a variety of ways to suit your needs and preferences. 


Enjoy using them as part of your daily routine. It will become an important time to harmonize your inner mind.

Technique: 
 
“Original Lacquer Technique with Black Sand Finish” 
This is a original lacquer coating method developed by Chiyodaya using traditional materials. It creates a unique texture like black sand.  
 

“Lacquer Coating Using Pure Gold Powder with Roiro Finish” 
This technique is performed by sprinkling pure gold powder partially during the lacquering process, applying coats of lacquer over and over, and polishing the surface to make it shiny.  
 
 
“Kazari Kanagu (Decorative Metal Fixtures)” 
This is a process of engraving or carving a design on a copper plate according to the position where they are to be installed.  
The designs are made using “Tagane (chisels),” tools made of hardened iron.  
Chisels have various patterns, and the ideal design is carved by combining them.  
For the decorative metal fixtures of this product, the Nanako design is adopted, which is simple but requires sophisticated skills to achieve perfection.  
 
“Lacquering” 
Lacquer has the property of hardening and becoming transparent as it ages, so it is stronger after years of use than immediately after it is applied. It is strongest 20 years after application.  
In addition, it is a very robust and excellent coating method with very strong properties such as antiseptic, waterproof, mothproof, chemical resistant, antibacterial, and insulating.  
 
 
Product Information for Catalog: 
I: Vanity box with mirror 
RO (Lid): Vanity box with lid 
RO (Door): Vanity box with door 
HA: Vanity box with drawer 
(Each sold separately.) 

MAKER

Chiyodaya Limited Partnership / Nagoya Butsudan

Chiyodaya was founded in 1935. Chiyodaya has a history of 87 years this year. In addition to manufacturing and restoring butsudan and butsugu (Buddhist altars), the company's skills are highly regarded, and it is involved in a wide range of projects including new and restored festival stands, temple inner sanctuaries, Buddhist statues, and portable shrines.

Nagoya butsudan is known for its gorgeous and gorgeous structure. They are constructed using a nail-less assembly method called "Kumiki Hozogumi," which makes them easy to assemble and disassemble, and allows for easy repair and maintenance. Nagoya butsudan are made of high-grade materials such as hinoki (cypress), zelkova (zelkova), and seng (Chinese cork). This is due to the fact that the Kiso area, which produces an abundance of high-quality Kiso cypress, was a fiefdom of the Tokugawa family in Bishu, and Nagoya was designated as the place where lumber was collected and dispersed, and that the Horikawa River, which was dug from 1610, developed a land and sea distribution network and developed Nagoya's wood-related industries.

Nobuaki Kushida, the third generation of Chiyodaya, has been a craftsman for 33 years and has excellent skills, having received an award as an excellent traditional industrial engineer from Nagoya City. In addition, through his unique discernment, he has built a network of craftsmen in various fields with superior skills and excellent material suppliers, and is actively involved in creating unconventional products by combining traditional techniques with new technologies.