Tsuyuki Wooden Craft Factory

Tsuyuki Wooden Craft Factory

Tsuyuki Wooden Craft Factory, founded in 1926, is designed to make life more enjoyable and enriched by the creation of a living culture while preserving traditional technology and techniques in the land of Odawara.

They continue to create new Marquetry that blends into our current lives. It is Marquetry which produces a fine geometric pattern by bringing together various trees of different colors and grain.

This traditional craft, which requires fine calculations and precise work, began at the end of the Edo period and is now the only production area in Japan in the Hakone and Odawara regions.

■ What is Marquetry(Yosegi Zaiku)?

Marquetry originated during the Edo period. The technique was established in Hatajuku, a village in Hakone, and today it is produced mainly in the Odawara and Hakone regions. In 1984, it was officially designated as a Traditional Craft by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This intricate woodworking craft involves combining various types of natural wood—each with its own unique color and grain—to create geometric patterns. These patterns are formed into blocks called "Tanegi" (patterned wood stock), which are then carefully processed and transformed into a wide range of handcrafted items.

■ Two Traditional Techniques
	Muku-zukuri This method involves shaping a block of patterned wood—called Tanegi. Because the pattern runs through the entire block, the design appears not only on the surface but also on the interior of the finished piece.
	Zuku-bari Considered the original technique of Marquetry, Zuku-bari involves shaving the surface of a Tanegi block into thin sheets using a hand plane, and then carefully applying these sheets to the surface of wooden boxes.

■ Marquetry Patterns Each individual piece of plain wood is carefully combined with others of different colors and grains to create a wide variety of intricate patterns. This stunning visual harmony is what makes Marquetry so distinctive. Here are some of the signature patterns crafted by Tsuyuki Wooden Craft Factory. Koyosegi Patterns created by combining multiple Marquetry designs into a single intricate composition. Shiro Koyosegi Pattern intentionally uses restrained colors to highlight the natural beauty of the wood Rokkaku Asanoha Ichimatsu Shippo Yabane Hishi Seigaiha A beautiful and symbolic pattern that represents one of the most iconic traditional motifs. One of the most commonly used patterns. An intricate and delicate pattern with versatile design possibilities. A graceful wave pattern known for its refined look and difficulty to craft precisely.