Yesterday, we visited the studio of the Gotoh family. Normally, they don’t allow visitors to enter the studio, but we were very lucky and this was a big favor.
The studio is behind the store and is like an old Japanese big house, all from wood with elevated floors for the air to pass underneath.

A Shishi Mai (Chinese Lion) animal mask hang in the entrance. It was carved from wood and the paint was quite fainted, but they use this mask during New Years to wish everybody a Happy New Year. Or here to wish you a good day or happy life! Unfortunately, but also understandable, this was the only picture I was allowed to take.

First, we entered a work area where three artists were carving pieces, like a very big frame with straight lines, sort of Art Deco style, and a plate with a flower design. They were sitting in front of the windows to make use of the day light.

In the next room, some artists were putting on the first “Urushi” layer of lacquer. One person put lacquer on some beautifully carved big buttons. I also saw some big boxes with wonderfully carved flower designs.

Then we were able to look into some rooms through windows and saw that one artist was putting on a black layer of lacquer on a carved tray. Another person was putting on the final vermillion layer: the Kamakura Red! They derived the red pigment from lava rocks. We also saw some green lacquered carved stools, which were made by a student.

Just to think of the many hours of man work put into creating one piece. Unbelievable!

To the left is the picture of the Shishi mai (dancing) animal carved into a part of an altar at the Kenchoji in Kamakura during origin Kamakura period of Kamakura Bori. The animal is an imaginative animal (lion) and comes from China.







This is a Shishi adorned at one of the gate entrances of the Engakuji, one of the important Zen Buddhist temples of Japan in North Kamakura.






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