History (Origins)

In 1712, when Torii-iga-no-kamitadaderu was forcibly relocated by the shogunate from Omi Province's Minakuchi Domain to Shimotsuke Province's Mibu Domain, he brought some calabash (bottle gourd) seeds with him and had local farmers in Shimotsuke grow them on an experimental basis. This is said to be the origin of Fukube-zaiku.

Characteristics (Techniques and Materials)

After removing the seeds, the bottle gourd's fukube (outer skin) is dried and, depending on the type of gourd and its shape, turned into a coal container, flower vase, mask, or other such object. A variety of graceful implements can be crafted.

Contact Information

Masanobu Ogawa
2-4-8, Odori, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0811
TEL: +81-28-634-7583

Minoru Sakai
3-3-4, Odori, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0811
TEL: +81-28-634-4735