薬研彫り、と言う技法だそうだ。七味唐辛子を思ってしまうがそうではない。職人曰く、「板材に文字や意匠を陰陽刻し漆や箔などで仕上げる」のが木彫看板であり、その彫る技が薬研彫りなのだそうである。薬研の形状のようにV字の彫跡がその名の由来なのは薬研堀と同じだ。彫りの技では小刀で左右から交互に彫り込む、つまりVの角度、中心線が自由になる手法を特に薬研彫りと呼ぶのだと、仕上がったばかりの大きな一枚板の店名看板を前に職人は語った。
“Yagen-bori (Yagen-carving)”, the sculptor told us, “Wooden sculpture signboard is finished with lacquer or metal leaf after letters and (or) designs carved on the board.” The carving technique used here is Yagen-bori. Yagen is a tool used to grind herb medicines in the old days. The V shape of Yagen is considered to resemble the shape of the carving mark of this technique. Using a small knife, the sculptor carves the board from left and right alternately which makes it possible for him to create the line he plans. “Such technique is especially called Yagen-bori.” He told so as he stood in front of the big signboard he just finished his work.
