The Danjiri Festival, which began in the mid-Edo period, boasts over 300 years of history and tradition. While the sight of massive floats racing dynamically through the streets is spectacular, each danjiri is also adorned with such intricate carvings that they are often called “running works of art.”

Unlike other decorative arts, danjiri carvings are not finished with lacquer or gold leaf, but instead highlight the natural beauty of zelkova wood grain. The carvings feature a wide variety of motifs—from people, horses, and mythical creatures to flowers, birds, and arabesque patterns—often depicting famous scenes from war chronicles and mythological tales.

The stories chosen as themes for these carvings are frequently drawn from kabuki plays, ningyō jōruri (puppet theater), and kōdan (traditional storytelling), which were popular among the masses. Carvers create detailed preliminary sketches inspired by ukiyo-e prints and illustrated storybooks of these narratives, then use these sketches to develop three-dimensional designs. Finally, they engrave their masterful artistry into the solid zelkova wood.