The craft tradition of Ichii itto-bori carvings began with the Hida artisans who were active in the construction of shrines and temples in Nara and Kyoto beginning in the Tenpyo period. Ichii wood has beautiful grain, so Ichii Itto-bori artisans select high-quality material and carve it precisely without adding further decoration or coloring. Their skill accentuates the flow of the grain and the natural colors of the wood, which gradually darkens and becomes more shiny over time.