JAPANESE TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
In Japan, many daily necessities which are made by using traditional manufacturing methods and raw materials that have been nurtured and inherited through history and climate. Please try incorporating traditional Japanese crafts into your daily life.
tsubame hand-hammered copperware
TSUBAME Tsuiki Doki (Beaten Copperware)
Location: Niigata
History: the middle of the Edo era (1600-1868)
Tsubame beaten copperware involves hammering a three-dimensional shape out of a single flat sheet of copper.
History: the middle of the Edo era (1600-1868)
Tsubame beaten copperware involves hammering a three-dimensional shape out of a single flat sheet of copper.
EDO-BEKKO
EDO Bekko (Tortoiseshell Crafts)
Location: the Edo era
History: the mid-17th century
Edo tortoiseshell goods are made from the shells of hawksbill sea turtles, using a special technique to attach pieces of shell together.
History: the mid-17th century
Edo tortoiseshell goods are made from the shells of hawksbill sea turtles, using a special technique to attach pieces of shell together.
Koshu hand-carved seals
KOSHU Tebori Insho (Hand-carved Seals)
Location: Yamanashi
History: late Edo-era (1600-1868)
Koshu seals were originally fashioned from crystal, using traditional techniques developed over many years.
History: late Edo-era (1600-1868)
Koshu seals were originally fashioned from crystal, using traditional techniques developed over many years.
Japan Hakone Marquetry
HAKONE Yosegi Zaiku (Marquetry Wood Mosaics)
Location: Kanagawa
History: around the middle of the 19th century
Hakone marquetry highlights the beautiful colors of Hakone’s natural beauty through many different geometric shapes and patterns.
History: around the middle of the 19th century
Hakone marquetry highlights the beautiful colors of Hakone’s natural beauty through many different geometric shapes and patterns.
yamagata casting
YAMAGATA Imono (Metal Casting)
Location: Yamagata
History: the middle of the Heian era (794-1185)
Many of the cast-iron pots used to boil water for the tea ceremony are produced in Yamagata Prefecture.
History: the middle of the Heian era (794-1185)
Many of the cast-iron pots used to boil water for the tea ceremony are produced in Yamagata Prefecture.
Higo Zougan Inlay
HIGO Zogan (Inlay)
Location: Kumamoto
History: the first half of the 17th century
Higo inlays are known for the profound and austere feelings they evoke. They are created by carving a design into an iron base, laying gold or silver in the carved-out parts and striking it.
History: the first half of the 17th century
Higo inlays are known for the profound and austere feelings they evoke. They are created by carving a design into an iron base, laying gold or silver in the carved-out parts and striking it.
Kyoto Stonework
KYO Ishi Kougeihin (Stone Carving)
Location: Kyoto
History: the end of the Nara era (710-794)
Kyoto stone carvings, mostly used as garden decorations, are handmade by a single stonemason who handles each step of the process.
History: the end of the Nara era (710-794)
Kyoto stone carvings, mostly used as garden decorations, are handmade by a single stonemason who handles each step of the process.
Kurume Pongee
KURUME Kasuri (Ikat)
Location: Fukuoka
History: the beginning of the 19th century
Kasuri indicates a kind of textile that has its threads dyed beforehand. The threads are dyed by ikat techniques and woven to produce elaborate designs. Their simple texture is widely used in kimonos, accessories and interiors.
History: the beginning of the 19th century
Kasuri indicates a kind of textile that has its threads dyed beforehand. The threads are dyed by ikat techniques and woven to produce elaborate designs. Their simple texture is widely used in kimonos, accessories and interiors.
NAGOYA-SEKKU-KAZARI
Naniwa Honzome
Location: Osaka Prefecture
History: during the Meiji period
Naniwa Honzome is a dyeing method unique to Japan that was developed in Osaka during the Meiji period for the purpose of mass producing patterned hand towels.
History: during the Meiji period
Naniwa Honzome is a dyeing method unique to Japan that was developed in Osaka during the Meiji period for the purpose of mass producing patterned hand towels.
Gifu paper lantern
Gifu lanterns
Location: Gifu Prefecture
History: Gifu in the mid-18th century
Gifu chochin are said to have been made in Gifu in the mid-18th century, and developed because the raw materials, Japanese paper and bamboo, were abundant nearby.
History: Gifu in the mid-18th century
Gifu chochin are said to have been made in Gifu in the mid-18th century, and developed because the raw materials, Japanese paper and bamboo, were abundant nearby.
Miyagi traditional wooden doll
MIYAGI Dento Kokeshi (Wooden Dolls)
Location: Miyagi
History: in the middle of the Edo era (1600-1868)
Miyagi kokeshi dolls have a simple yet beautiful form that consists of only a head and body. Their sweet, innocent expression reflects the spirit of the artisans who produce them in mountain villages surrounded by the vastness of nature.
History: in the middle of the Edo era (1600-1868)
Miyagi kokeshi dolls have a simple yet beautiful form that consists of only a head and body. Their sweet, innocent expression reflects the spirit of the artisans who produce them in mountain villages surrounded by the vastness of nature.
Japan Yamanaka Lacquerware
YAMANAKA Shikki (Lacquerware)
Location: Ishikawa
History: the second half of the 16th century
Pieces made using traditional kashoku-biki techniques to carve exceptionally fine grooves (sensuji) or inlays (zogan) are highly valued. Yamanaka lacquerware is characterized by taka-maki-e, an embossed gilt lacquerwork in which the lacquered portion is raised.
History: the second half of the 16th century
Pieces made using traditional kashoku-biki techniques to carve exceptionally fine grooves (sensuji) or inlays (zogan) are highly valued. Yamanaka lacquerware is characterized by taka-maki-e, an embossed gilt lacquerwork in which the lacquered portion is raised.