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.
SANSHU-ONIGAWARA-KOGEIHIN（TILE)
SANSHU Onigawara Kougeihin (Gargoyle Roof Tile)
Location: Aichi
History: the beginning of the 18th century
People who make Onigawara Crafts are known as onishi or oniitashi. In addition to the traditional types with gargoyles and family crests, the Onigawara craft extends to other products including small ornaments for interior design and outdoor decorations.
History: the beginning of the 18th century
People who make Onigawara Crafts are known as onishi or oniitashi. In addition to the traditional types with gargoyles and family crests, the Onigawara craft extends to other products including small ornaments for interior design and outdoor decorations.
Mashiko ceramic
MASHIKO Yaki (Pottery)
Location: Tochigi
History: around the middle of the 19th century
Mashiko Yaki has many devoted fans with its gentle luster born from the union of glazing techniques and Mashiko clay, which is quite traditional. A wide variety of crockery is produced alongside items including flower vases by 320 firms employing 338 people.
History: around the middle of the 19th century
Mashiko Yaki has many devoted fans with its gentle luster born from the union of glazing techniques and Mashiko clay, which is quite traditional. A wide variety of crockery is produced alongside items including flower vases by 320 firms employing 338 people.
Japan Sakai Forged Knife
SAKAI Uchihamono (Forged Blades)
Location: Osaka
History: in the middle of the Edo era (1600 - 1868)
There is a Sakai knife for almost every use, as evidenced by the fact that most Japanese chefs have one. Their main feature is their well-grounded edges.
History: in the middle of the Edo era (1600 - 1868)
There is a Sakai knife for almost every use, as evidenced by the fact that most Japanese chefs have one. Their main feature is their well-grounded edges.
Tokyo some komon dyeing
TOKYO Some Komon (fine-pattern Dyeing)
Location: Tokyo
History: the Muromachi era (1392 - 1573)
The Ise Katagami stencil used for fine-patterned dying is hand-carved by a master craftsman. Tokyo Some-komon, born of Japan’s long textile traditions, is unique for its intricate geometric patterns, and creates a refined, sophisticated impression through just a single color.
History: the Muromachi era (1392 - 1573)
The Ise Katagami stencil used for fine-patterned dying is hand-carved by a master craftsman. Tokyo Some-komon, born of Japan’s long textile traditions, is unique for its intricate geometric patterns, and creates a refined, sophisticated impression through just a single color.
Takayama tea whisk
TAKAYAMA Chasen (Tea Whisks)
Location: Nara
History: the middle of the Muromachi era (1333 - 1568)
There are 120 types of Takayama tea whisks. The materials, shape and number of ears tips vary according to the tea ceremony school and the use, including whether they are intended for light (usucha) or strong (koicha) matcha tea, for tea offerings, for open-air tea ceremonies, for tea boxes and so on.
History: the middle of the Muromachi era (1333 - 1568)
There are 120 types of Takayama tea whisks. The materials, shape and number of ears tips vary according to the tea ceremony school and the use, including whether they are intended for light (usucha) or strong (koicha) matcha tea, for tea offerings, for open-air tea ceremonies, for tea boxes and so on.
Bizen pottery
Bizen ware
Location: Okayama Prefecture
History: produced in the Heian period
Bizen ware has a long history and was already produced in the Heian period. It is counted as one of Japan's six oldest kilns, and is famous nationwide for its pottery (technically, ``Stoneware'' (``Setsu'' means ``fire stone'')) that has a history of 1,000 years.
History: produced in the Heian period
Bizen ware has a long history and was already produced in the Heian period. It is counted as one of Japan's six oldest kilns, and is famous nationwide for its pottery (technically, ``Stoneware'' (``Setsu'' means ``fire stone'')) that has a history of 1,000 years.
TOSA-UCHIHAMONO
TOSA Uchihamono (Forged Blades)
Location: Kochi
History: in the early Edo period
Although Tosa cutlery has undergone some mechanization, the techniques and traditions of the Edo period have been passed down to the Heisei era.
History: in the early Edo period
Although Tosa cutlery has undergone some mechanization, the techniques and traditions of the Edo period have been passed down to the Heisei era.
BOSHU Uchiwa (fans)
BOSHU Uchiwa (fans)
Location: Chiba
History: began in the Kanto region during the Edo period
Boshu Uchiwa is one of the three major types of fans in Japan, along with Kyoto fans and Marugame fans, and has been passed down from generation to generation in Minamiboshu.
History: began in the Kanto region during the Edo period
Boshu Uchiwa is one of the three major types of fans in Japan, along with Kyoto fans and Marugame fans, and has been passed down from generation to generation in Minamiboshu.
RYUKYU Bingata (Dyeing)
RYUKYU Bingata (Dyeing)
Location: Okinawa
History: the middle of the 15th century
Bingata dyeing is the only dyeing craft in Okinawa combining the techniques of stencil dyeing from China and the hand dyeing skills of Kyoto Yuzen.
History: the middle of the 15th century
Bingata dyeing is the only dyeing craft in Okinawa combining the techniques of stencil dyeing from China and the hand dyeing skills of Kyoto Yuzen.
NAGISO Rokuro Zaiku
NAGISO Rokuro Zaiku (Wood Turnery)
Location: Nagano
History: during the first half of the 18th century
A feature of Nagiso turnery is the way the work fully expresses the qualities of the underlying wood, making the most of the natural grains in an unassuming fashion.
History: during the first half of the 18th century
A feature of Nagiso turnery is the way the work fully expresses the qualities of the underlying wood, making the most of the natural grains in an unassuming fashion.
KUTANI-YAKI (PORCELAIN)
KUTANI Yaki (Porcelain)
Location: Ishikawa
History: in the Kutani area was in the 17th century
Gorgeous and openhearted linework is colored with green, yellow, red, purple and navy Japanese pigments, producing a dignified brilliance characteristic of Kutani Yaki.
History: in the Kutani area was in the 17th century
Gorgeous and openhearted linework is colored with green, yellow, red, purple and navy Japanese pigments, producing a dignified brilliance characteristic of Kutani Yaki.
KAGAWA-SHIKKI (Lacquerware)
KAGAWA Shikki (Lacquerware)
Location: Kagawa
History: established at the end of the Edo era (1600-1868)
The representative techniques of Kagawa lacquerware, ``Konso'', ``Goto-nuri'', ``Zonki'', ``Cho-urushi'', and ``Zokoku-nuri'', all deteriorate over time as they are used.
History: established at the end of the Edo era (1600-1868)
The representative techniques of Kagawa lacquerware, ``Konso'', ``Goto-nuri'', ``Zonki'', ``Cho-urushi'', and ``Zokoku-nuri'', all deteriorate over time as they are used.