Discover the enduring story of Sendai tansu – ornate chests of drawers crafted in Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan – in this talk led by furniture maker and executive director of the Sendai Tansu Cooperative Association Yunome Rikiya.

Sendai tansu flourished as furnishings for the samurai class of the Sendai domain (present-day Miyagi Prefecture) during the Edo period (1603–1868) and were originally spacious enough to store samurai swords. In the Meiji period (1868–1912), they gained international attention as export items.

Highly prized as decorative objects as well as robust functional furniture, Sendai tansu are distinguished by their precise joinery, lustrous urushi lacquer, and bold ornamental iron fittings.

Crafted through a division of labour between specialist woodworkers, urushi lacquerers and metalworkers, Sendai tansu continue to be made using techniques passed down for over 150 years.

This event explores the craft’s historical development, cultural significance, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this heritage while adapting to contemporary lifestyles.

It includes a short live demonstration of part of the making process, giving guests a closer look at the techniques involved, followed by questions from the audience.

This talk forms part of a wider programme including hands-on metal embossing workshops (18 July), craft demonstrations (18 and 19 July) and a mini tansu-making workshop (19 July).

The event series is presented as part of the Spotlight on Local Japan Programme which accepts applications from potential collaborators based in Japan to co-create cultural events presenting Japan’s regional diversity at Japan House London.

*Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.

About the speaker

Yunome Rikiya (Sendai Tansu Cooperative Association)

Yunome Rikiya is the sixth-generation managing director of the Yunome Furniture Department Store, which was founded in 1871. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, he worked to have Sendai tansu officiallydesignated as a ‘Traditional Craft of Japan’ by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, succeeding in 2015. In recent years, he has collaborated with Studio Swine, a design collective composed of a Japanese architect and a British artist.

Booking Essential | Admission Free 

The event will also be livestreamed on Zoom. A recording will be made available on YouTube following the event.