About Nagano Butsudan (Nagano Buddhist Altar)
Nagano Butsudan are Buddhist altars produced mainly in Nagano City and Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. A Shinshu altar production area that developed alongside pilgrimages to Zenkoji Temple, characterized by robust wood processing utilizing Nagano Prefecture's abundant timber resources. Meeting the demand of Jodo and Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temples while the sale of altars and implements to Zenkoji pilgrims propelled industrial development. A practical and refined altar culture born from Shinshu's clean natural environment and craftsman spirit.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
木地加工金箔押し漆塗り蒔絵錺金具
Materials
木材（欅・檜・松等）金箔天然漆
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 長野仏壇仏具組合（産地にご確認ください）