桐たんす
Kiri-Tansu(Paulownia chest of drawer)
The technique of producing paulownia chest of drawers in Edo (Tokyo) is said to have been developed from cabinetmaker as profession in the mid-18th century and finishing technique has been established as well. The most important role in the process of colouring plays polishing powder, the final colour and tint of paulownia chest of drawers depends on how the powder is mixed with “Yasha-Eki” or Japanese Green Alder broth.
村井 正孝
Masataka Murai
Mr. Masataka Murai, born in 1946.
Born in 1946, being the third generation as the craftsman of making paulownia chest of drawers, he acquired the technique upon graduation from university serving his apprenticeship under his father. Since 1990 he has succeeded his father, now together with his younger brother Yasuo, is engaged in making chest of drawers made of paulownia wood. His role covers the initial stage of production through assembling, while his younger brother’s role is finishing.
He has been accredited for the holder of intangible cultural heritage by the Ward of Arakawa, Tokyo in 2009.