Hyougu (art mountings) are used to set up calligraphic works and paintings into hanging scrolls, picture frames, and folding screens etc. for display and preservation. There are various types of art mountings such as hanging scrolls and scrolls, f…

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Edo glassware is crafted in the Edogawa, Sumida, and Koto wards of Tokyo. It is also now produced in some areas of nearby Chiba prefecture, but it has been recognized as a local industry of Tokyo. This craftwork uses manufacturing methods, materia…

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Edo kiriko is the most famous glass craftwork in Japan. It was originally produced in the city of Edo which was Tokyo's name during the Edo period (1603-1868). Kiriko means "cut glass" so its name means "cut glass from the city…

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Edo karakami is a type of decorated traditional paper produced in the Bunkyo and Taito wards of Tokyo, as well as Matsudo, Chiba prefecture, and Tokigawa, Saitama prefecture. Designated as a traditional craft by the Japanese government in May 1999…

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Edo Bekko are fashion accessories and ornaments made from hawksbill turtle shells, produced in Bunkyo Ward, Taito Ward and Sumida Ward, Tokyo. Production of this craft started in the early Edo period. Edo Bekko is characterized by its unique sheen…

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Koshu Tebori Insho are hand-engraved personal signature stamps produced in Kofu City and Fujiyoshida City of Yamanashi Prefecture. Bringing together all of Yamanashi’s engravers, dealers, and material producers, this local industry is unlike those…

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Koshu lacquered deer leather (called Koshu inden in Japanese) is a unique style of leathercraft that was developed in the city of Kofu, Yamanashi prefecture. Koshu lacquered deer leather is unique because of its combination of deer leather and uru…

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Nagasaki tortoise shell crafts called Nagasaki Bekko in Japanese, are mostly produced in the city of Nagasaki or Isahaya in the Nagasaki prefecture. The shells used come from a type of sea turtle living around the Equator called Hawksbill turtle. …

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The koto was introduced from China as an instrument for court music. Then around the 16th century, the Tsukushi Goto was made in Japan which became the base of the Japanese koto today. The koto was known familiarly as part of the Kyoto culture, b…

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The Tokyo Shamisen is made from the beginning to the end by one artisan. In the Kansai area, the work is divided among a number of artisans, but the Tokyo Shamisen is custom made for the musician by one artisan. It is a craft made by the artisan a…

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Techniques for woodblock prints were developed and refined during the Edo period (1603-1868), and Edo Woodblock Prints called Edo Mokuhanga in Japanese, contributed to spreading beautiful printed art forms such as ukiyoe (a genre of Japanese art).…

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Yamaga toro are lanterns made of washi (traditional Japanese paper) produced in the area surrounding the city of Yamaga, Kumamoto prefecture. For the Yamaga Lantern Festival, an annual summer event, this craft is worn by one thousand dancing women…

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Yame Lanterns (called Yame Chochin in Japanese) are a type of lantern craft produced in the region around Yame, Fukuoka prefecture. This craft has a bamboo frame and a fire box with beautifully painted flowers, birds, and plants. The bamboo frame …

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