Inami Woodcarving: Japan’s 250-Year Tradition of Wood Sculpture

Nambu Hakuun III | Master Inami Woodcarver

Nambu Hakuun (Third Generation, born Nambu Shuso, age 74) is a master Inami woodcarver, successor to his grandfather and father in the historic Nanbu Hakuun Workshop which has been active for over 100 years. Hakuun spent a decade in the traditional apprenticeship system, living under the same roof as his master, Nanbu Hakuun II, sharing meals, and beginning each day with chores in the workshop before training from morning until night. Apprentices were expected to“steal the skill” by observing the master and senior apprentices, persisting through years of rigorous discipline until achieving mastery. This demanding path shaped the skill, creativity, and depth that define Hakuun’s artistry today.

His representative projects include the cosmic-themed altar at Mangan Kokuzo Hall in Kanazawa, narrative carvings at Daisho-ji Temple in Ibaraki, the guardian Four Gods of Akiha Shrine in Shizuoka, and the monumental plaque of the Main Hall at Tokyo’s Senso-ji Temple—a landmark viewed daily by millions worldwide. In addition to temple and shrine commissions, Hakuun has completed numerous private works, collaborating directly with patrons to bring their visions to life.

For the U.S. tour, Hakuun will present a new work titled Bridge Between Japan and the United States, share design drawings, and demonstrate traditional carving and sketching techniques.

Hakuun brings with him not only a lifetime of discipline and innovation, but also the living spirit of a 職人 (shokunin). His presence is both culturally significant and profoundly enriching, offering audiences an unparalleled opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most celebrated traditions firsthand.