Visiting Takumi – Tendo Shogi Pieces Ideal pieces that should be aimed at by continuing to make

Master of Tendo Shogi Pieces: Ryo Sakurai

Tendo Shogi pieces are japan’s only traditional craft that makes shogi as a production area.

There was a time when it was actively made in Tokyo, Osaka, Niigata, etc., but now there are only traditional craftsmen of shogi pieces in Yamagata. Tendo Shogi pieces are generally divided into divisions of labor with people who make wood, carve, and write pieces.

How did you get into this world?

My father recommended me.

It was triggered by a father who had already immersed himself in the world of Tendo Shogi pieces, which had graduated from school and had not decided what to do in particular.

By the time Mr. Sakurai was born, his father was in the world of Tendo Shogi pieces.

My father had built a workshop in the house, so there was always a Tendo shogi piece near Mr. Sakurai, but he didn’t say he wanted him to succeed him.

I was going to finish the work of Tendo Shogi pieces that my father started on my own.

Tendo Shogi pieces without the concept of heredity system

Tendo shogi pieces have been made since the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, but it is said that there was no idea of hereditary system from that time. Mr. Sakurai said that even if he succeeded him, he would not hear that he had succeeded the third generation until about the second generation.

It is said that the name of the creator becomes the brand name of shogi pieces, and it becomes known in the world of shogi, and it becomes a piece used in official matches.

Tendo Shogi pieces are made by craftsmen and writers, so it is a traditional craft that pursues one’s originality. It has a slightly different hair color from other traditional crafts. Perhaps that’s why my father didn’t have the idea that he wanted Mr. Sakurai to succeed him.

While working in this industry,

The world of Tendo shogi pieces that neither the right nor the left are known

Even though my father was making it in the same house, it was prohibited to put feet in the workshop. Therefore, Sakurai- san, who did not know how to actually make it, was very confused by the way he worked.

Even if you say that you only shave the part of the character with a chisel, you can not carve the character with the way you use the chisel as used in school. The shogi piece is sandwiched between the flips as in the photo, and while supporting it with the left hand, I hold the chisel with my right hand and shave it.

Few people usually use these chisels, do they? It seems that it took a year to carve it straight and beautifully with “1”.

How long does it take for the Tendo Shogi pieces to sell?

When I asked Sakurai when it actually began to sell as a product, he told me that it was seven years later that high-end morikoma first sold.

After making it for seven years, it seems that it has finally come to be recognized by people around.

Tendo Shogi pieces were recognized as luxury goods …

Treatment in shogi pieces

Other schools include shogi pieces made in Tokyo, which have been passed down to Niigata.

In such a way, high-quality shogi pieces used in professional official matches were made in Tokyo and Osaka.

Tendo Shogi pieces were not high-end brands that would be ridiculed in the shogi world. Sakurai’s fathers wanted to overturn the perception that it was not high-class.

As a result of fathers continuing to make high-quality hand-carved shogi pieces, it seems to have become famous as the only production area to make hand-carved high-quality shogi pieces that remain in Japan.

What I’ve known since I’ve been in this world for 20 years

The moment when you feel your growth

Mr. Sakurai said that 20 years had passed since he entered the world of Tendo Shogi pieces. When I asked him if there had been a different thing than when I was just starting out, he replied that what I saw was different.

When I was just starting out, every day was gone just by working hard, but these days I have come to understand that I can do more of the pieces I make.

For example, it seems that it may be possible to devise more ways of expressing letters, or it may be possible to raise the carving system more.

However, if you change the way you say it, it is a problem that you can understand because you can see the ideal piece in Sakurai-san. I think Sakurai-san is facing shogi pieces that seriously.

Mr. Sakurai, who felt light, started the opportunity, but now he said that he wanted to keep making it while his fingers moved.

People buying shogi

Sought after by an unchanging enthusiast

When I asked him what kind of people buy shogi pieces right now, he told me that 90% of them are enthusiasts, not to mention professional people.

Compared to the Showa era, the number of traditional crafts has decreased, but when it comes to shogi, the number has not changed much in the past and now.

Because it is a unique world, there may be constant constant people in lovers.

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Mr. Sakurai, who I interviewed this time, was exhibiting at the special exhibition “The 3rd DENSAN The Craftsman Exhibition” of production area selection.

In addition, the HP where Mr. Sakurai’s information is listed is as follows.
Water Pieces http://www15.plala.or.jp/kikusui50/
http://kikusuinokoma.blog.fc2.com/