■ Open Days : Friday, Saturday, Sunday and National Holiday
■ Opening Hours : 10 am to 4 pm
■ Address : 965 Shuzenji, Izu-city, Shizuoka pref., Japan
■ Tel. 0558-76-3702 Fax. 0558-76-3758
■ Admission Free
Shuzenji-bori, the art of engraving on Mōsō-chiku bamboos, was created in the early 20th century by Master Shōsui Kagiwada under the patronage of Shuzenji Temple.
The Master’s daughter, Shōkin began her apprenticeship to the art of Shuzenji-bori in her late teens, in order to inherit her father’s form. Ever since, she had dedicated her life to pursuing the one and only form of this subtle art.
In addition to the advanced study of engraving, her intense training in calligraphy, Japanese paintings, Japanese tea ceremony, Ikebana flower arrangements and even Koto (Japanese harp) lessons allowed for deep self-reflection and enhancement and inspired her own unique artistic style.
Shōkin did not set any boundaries in deliberating her creative motif for engraving. It extended immensely from Buddhist sutra to well-chanted poems, lyrics or tales, often accompanied with relevant paintings.