Try your hand at metalworking techniques used in the creation of Sendai tansu in this hands-on workshop led by master craftspeople from Miyagi Prefecture.

Sendai tansu – ornate chests of drawers from northeastern Japan – are renowned for their decorative iron fittings. These fittings are not only functional but also highly ornamental, crafted in a variety of shapes and often featuring intricate motifs such as flowers, dragons and karajishi (lit. ‘Chinese lions’). Each piece is carefully hand-chiselled by specialist metalworkers, hammering from the reverse side using a technique known as uchidashi(repoussé).

In this workshop, you will learn about the role of metal fittings in the design and construction of Sendai tansu before trying the embossing process yourself. Using a tagane chisel and a hammer, emboss a design onto a sheet of aluminium under the guidance of experienced artisans and take home your finished piece with a wooden display stand.

This workshop forms part of a wider programme including a talk on the history and characteristics of Sendai tansu (17 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.

Tickets for the event are non-refundable. Please read our Terms and Conditions for Event Tickets before purchasing your ticket.

*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 officially designated 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.

Sekiya Shūichi

Sekiya Shūichi is a furniture craftsman responsible for the wooden structure of Sendai tansu. Born in a mountain village in Miyagi Prefecture, he developed an early interest in the trees around him and in crafting objects from them. He believes that Sendai tansu, with their enduring strength and timeless beauty, represent the highest value of wood as a material. Through his craft, Sekiya aims not only to preserve craft traditions but also to contribute to environmental sustainability by extending the life of wooden resources.

Kanno Yūki

Kanno Yūki is a specialist in the urushi lacquering of Sendai tansu. After completing an apprenticeship under Hasabe Yoshikatsu, he established his own studio under the name Chōshichirō and strives to create Sendai tansu that reflect contemporary sensibilities. His practice now extends beyond tansu to include the lacquering of buildings such as shrines and temples, primarily in the Sendai area. In addition to his work as a craftsman, he serves as a vocational training instructor. In 2019, he received the Director-General’s Prize at the National Traditional Crafts Competition.

Hasebe Yoshikatsu

Hasebe Yoshikatsu is the 12th-generation head of a family that has practised urushi lacquering of Sendai tansu for over 160 years. He played a key role in the craft’s national designation and is dedicated to training the next generation. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, he repaired damaged tansu, and realised how beloved Sendai tansu are in the local community. Concerned about the decline in metal fitting artisans, he has recently taken on the challenge of becoming a metalworker himself. In spring 2024, he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, conferred by the Emperor of Japan.

Booking Essential | £20

Please note that there are only 20 places per session.  

Participants must be over 18 years old.