INDEN-YA YUSHICHI UEHARA｜KOUSHU INDEN

Brand

Techniques passed down from one generation to the next for 400 years

INDEN-YA YUSHICHI UEHARA

• 1582
• KOUSHU Inden(Lacquered Deersdkin Crafts）
• Yushichi Uehara

History

A favorite of the fashionable people of Edo

Inden-ya originally started as a group of craftsmen who made armors under the castle in Uehara, Suwa.

Later, the company moved to Koshu and was founded in 1582.

Koshu Inden" began with the creation of a unique technique of applying patterns with lacquer to deerskin.

The name "Inden" is an abbreviation of "Indo-den" and is said to have originated from the use of deerskin imported from the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century.

During the Edo period , a peaceful world without warfare was prevailing, and the lives of common people became more comfortable, attracting attention to fashionable and chic things.

Various techniques of Inden were nurtured and blossomed, from ancient Japanese auspicious designs to Indian chintz patterns.

At Inden-ya, the technique has been handed down only by the patriarch as a secret method for over 400 years.

However, in order to keep the fire of traditional craftsmanship alive and to further spread it, it is now widely open to the public.

Characteristic

A secret method by the blessings of nature

Koshu Inden is a craft that combines the raw material deerskin, which is a blessing of nature, lacquer, and patterns as expression.

The process involves placing a hand-carved pattern on dyed deerskin and brushing it with lacquer to apply the pattern.

The patterns are based on motifs of the changing seasons and nature, which Japanese people have cherished since ancient times.

Lacquer is derived from the words "enrich" and "beautiful", and as time goes by, it becomes more lustrous and its color and texture deepen.

It was our distant ancestor, Yushichi Uehara, who first introduced this lacquer into the production of Inden.

Every process requires skill and intuition, and it is said that it takes three years to master the art of lacquering.

This traditional technique has been passed down from generation to generation.

For Customers

Feel the harmony of deerskin and lacquer

Koshu Inden was created by Yushichi Uehara, who invented a unique technique of applying lacquer to deerskin.

Deerskin has long been a favorite of the Japanese people, and lacquer adds a touch of glamorous beauty.

Both materials have been loved by the Japanese people.

The harmony created by these two natural materials and the unique texture that develops as the item is used more and more.

It became the focus of attention among the fashionable and stylish people of Edo.

The traditional technique has further evolved with the times to create new Inden.

The harmony between the soft and light deerskin and the lacquer, the color of which changes with time.

We hope you will take one in your hand and feel it for yourself.

Award

1987 Designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

Producer

Bringing the value of "Japan's hidden talent" to more people

■J Flavor

Bringing smiles to the local community, to the world, and to society.

We, J Flavor, are a craft production group that creates new value by combining the various talents that Japan possesses in terms of tradition, technology, and sensitivity.

We want people all over the world to know the talent that Japan.

Through the value of Japanese products, we aim to create a society where everyone has a smile.