Nikko bori (wood carvings) are a specialty of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and are usually made from woods such as horse chestnut, magnolia, or katsura. Nikko carving traditions are said to have originated in the early Edo period when craftsmen who were brought together to build Toshogu Shrine worked on wood carvings in their spare time. Nikko bori are characterized by flowing curves created with a unique tool called a "hikkaki" and a lacquer coating called Nikko Tsuishu that makes the most of the beauty of the wood.