200 Years of the Ishimizu Sculpture Workshop: A Legacy Forged Alongside the Festivals

The history of the Ishimizu Sculpture Workshop traces back to the Bunkyu era at the end of the Edo period. Although the family has long made its living from carving in Saijo, their work has not always been exclusively dedicated to danjiri.

In different eras, their primary focus shifted to carvings for shrines and temples or architectural ornamentation, with danjiri sculpture being a secondary concern. The type of work in demand evolved with the scale of the festivals and the local economy.

Against this backdrop, danjiri culture saw a resurgence during Ishimizu's father's generation. As the momentum to commission new floats grew, the Ishimizu Sculpture Workshop began to fully dedicate itself to danjiri carving.

Creating a single danjiri is a lengthy process, taking from one and a half to two years. It involves discussing themes with district representatives, deciding on the composition, and refining every detail. The dialogue that unfolds during this collaboration is what elevates the quality of the final sculpture.

Through this cumulative effort, the workshop has now crafted carvings for over 30 danjiri.