Shibayama

The inlay technique known as Shibayama began in the time of the 11th Shogun, Tokugawa Ienari (1773-1841).
The inlaid art form known as Shibayama takes its name from the Shibayama area of today’s Chiba prefecture, the hometown of Onoki Senzo, a builder who lived during the An’ei era (1772-1781).
His style became so popular that works executed with this inlay technique were named Shibayama, later adopted as his surname.
Shibayama is distinguished in that the carved marquetry pieces in addition to being embedded in the material protrude in high relief above the surface of the vases, koro/incense holders, screens, kodansu, inro or finely decorated plates.
In fact, the word Shibayama can also be used to refer specifically to this typical inlay.
The name Shibayama was first adopted by the founder of the tradition, Onoki Senzo, then Shibayama Senzo and his descendants and worthy disciples.
Works by such masters as Muneichi, Muneaki, Masahisa,
Yasunobu, Yasumasa, Soichi, Naoyuki
and Dosho, have attracted great attention in exhibitions and shows
International. Thanks to them and a few other great master craftsmen, the Shibayama name has become widely known internationally.