Inden is a traditional method of lacquering deerskin or sheepskin, and the name of traditional crafts made from the lacquered skins. Its history stretches back more than 400 years, and it is said that the name is an abbreviation of Indo Denrai, which means things introduced by India.
Koshu Inden was begun by Uehara Yushichi, who created unique techniques in the Edo Period (1603-1868). He was introduced as Inden-ya Yushichi in a Kofu Shopping Guide issued in 1854. In the comic book “Tokaidochu Hizakurige” (issued 1802-1809), inden was mentioned by author Jippensha Ikku, who wrote “An inden purse hanging from the waist was taken out and shown.”
Koshu inden techniques had been passed down to the head of the family, “Yushichi,” from generation to generation as a family secret. Although the techniques were prohibited from being disclosed until the 12th head, they were made available to the general public to widely spread inden techniques after the 13th head took over the family.
Inden-ya Uehara Yushichi Honten, which faces the old Koshu-kaido Road and is located at the old Kofu-Yanahara-shuku, sells a wide variety of inden products. The second floor of the building is the Inden Museum, which houses and exhibits about 1,500 Inden products, deerskin and lacquer crafts that are rotated every two to three months. Visitors can learn about Inden history and methods.
Koshu Inden was begun by Uehara Yushichi, who created unique techniques in the Edo Period (1603-1868). He was introduced as Inden-ya Yushichi in a Kofu Shopping Guide issued in 1854. In the comic book “Tokaidochu Hizakurige” (issued 1802-1809), inden was mentioned by author Jippensha Ikku, who wrote “An inden purse hanging from the waist was taken out and shown.”
Koshu inden techniques had been passed down to the head of the family, “Yushichi,” from generation to generation as a family secret. Although the techniques were prohibited from being disclosed until the 12th head, they were made available to the general public to widely spread inden techniques after the 13th head took over the family.
Inden-ya Uehara Yushichi Honten, which faces the old Koshu-kaido Road and is located at the old Kofu-Yanahara-shuku, sells a wide variety of inden products. The second floor of the building is the Inden Museum, which houses and exhibits about 1,500 Inden products, deerskin and lacquer crafts that are rotated every two to three months. Visitors can learn about Inden history and methods.