Shimatani Syouryu Workshop

“Syouryu” is the in-house brand of the Shimatani Shoryu Workshop, which has specialized in the production of Orin (Buddhist singing bowls for temples) since its founding in the 42nd year of the Meiji era (1909).

Our workshop is home to three master artisans of Orin—among fewer than ten such masters in the entire country. Using the traditional method of hammering with a forging hammer, metal sheets are shaped, rounded, and acoustically tuned to produce Orin singing bowls. We will continue to create new products rooted in this traditional hammering technique.

Since ancient times, Orin have purified spaces and healed people’s hearts through sound. Their beautiful tone is profound: when listening to the gentle resonance, waves of sound ripple outward, enveloping and easing both body and mind.

Shoryu’s Orin are crafted from brass sheets, painstakingly hammered thousands of times. In the final stage, careful tuning breathes life into the sound by creating its characteristic wave-like reverberation. Each bowl has its own unique shape and individual tone—a boundless sea of sound. Discover the tone that resonates with you.

The Birth of “Suzugami”

“To create something that is unique to Takaoka, rooted in the traditional craft of metal-hammering, and usable in daily life”—this idea gave birth to a new brand and product.

The product, named “Suzugami” (literally “tin paper”), is a novel tin item that, as the name suggests, is as thin and flexible as paper and can be freely shaped by hand.

By repeatedly hammering a rolled tin sheet with a forging hammer, not only are delicate surface patterns created, but the material also gains a resilience that allows it to be bent and reshaped multiple times—a feature unique to the traditional art of metal-hammering.

“Enjoy the new experience of Suzugami—light and flexible, yet made of metal.”

Takaoka (Toyama Prefecture)

Location & Cityscape

Takaoka is located in the western part of Toyama Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan. Nestled between Toyama Bay and forested hills, the city covers approximately 210 km² – including about 36 km² of urban area, 61 km² of agricultural land, and vast forests and parks. Its proximity to larger cities makes Takaoka a pleasant gateway between tradition and modernity.

Historical Origins

Takaoka’s origins date back to the year 701, when the area was part of the ancient province of Etchū. In the early 17th century, under the rule of Maeda Toshinaga, it began to develop into a “city of craftsmen.” Around 1609, a castle and adjoining settlement were built, which came to bear his name. In 1611, seven casting craftsmen (imono-shi) were invited to settle there—marking the beginning of Takaoka’s metalworking history. Although the castle was dismantled as early as 1615, the craft traditions flourished and continue to shape the city’s identity to this day.

Famous Attractions

One of the city’s highlights is the Takaoka Daibutsu, an impressive bronze statue of Amida Buddha standing nearly 16 meters tall, completed in 1933. It symbolizes the craftsmanship of local metalworkers and is considered one of Japan’s “Great Buddhas.”

Other cultural treasures include the Zen temple Zuiryū-ji, traditional wooden streets like Kanaya-machi and Yamachō-sūji with storehouses over 400 years old, and the many matsuri (festivals) such as the Mikurumayama Festival and Tanabata Festival, both rich in history and folklore.

Traditional Crafts

  1. Takaoka Copperware (高岡銅器, Takaoka dōki)
    For over 400 years, copper craftsmanship has shaped the cityscape. The casting techniques range from fine tea sets and vases to Buddhist altar fittings. In 1975, this craft was officially recognized as a traditional art form. At studios like Nousaku and Momentum Factory Orii, modern household items and bronze temple bells are produced—visitors can even try making some themselves.

  2. Takaoka Lacquerware (高岡漆器, Takaoka shikki)
    Lacquer art also developed in the early 17th century and includes techniques like sabi-e (fine powdered lacquer), raden (mother-of-pearl inlay), and multilayered relief work. This craft, too, was officially recognized in 1975 as a traditional art form.

  3. Other Regional Crafts

In and around Takaoka, other notable crafts include:

  • Takaoka Teism (Takaoka tetsuki): Ornamental iron kettles and similar items, growing in the shadow of the copper industry.

  • Shōgawa Woodturning: Fine wooden bowls and trays.

  • Etchū-Washi Paper and traditional straw hats from Fukuoka, which represent regional craftsmanship styles.

Experience & Craft Tourism

Takaoka invites visitors to try their own hand at crafts: in studios like Otera Kohachiro Shoten or Nousaku in Kanaya-machi, you can create your own tin or copper items and accessories—some in original Edo-period settings. The ZIBA Craft Shop hosts exhibitions, workshops, and insights into more than six nationally recognized crafts including metal, wood, paper, and textile arts.

Conclusion

Takaoka is far more than a historical city—it is a vibrant center of masterful craftsmanship. Copper, lacquer, wood, paper, and metal arts converge to form a living urban culture deeply rooted in the Edo period, yet constantly reimagined through modern interpretations and hands-on experiences. Whether as a visitor to traditional markets, a participant in workshops, or an admirer of monumental Buddha statues—Takaoka brings history vividly to life.