Banshu abacuses (called Banshu soroban in Japanese) are produced in the city of Ono, Hyogo prefecture. Ono, an agricultural area blessed with a warm climate, started abacus production during its off-season. Japanese abacuses are traditional tools…

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Nara brushes (called Nara fude in Japanese) are brushes produced in and around the neighboring cities of Nara and Yamatokoriyama, Nara prefecture. Nara is considered to be the birthplace of brush making in Japan. The oldest existing brushes in Jap…

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Kyo Braided Cords (called Kyo Kumihimo in Japanese) are produced around the cities of Kyoto and Uji, Kyoto prefecture. Since the Heian period (794-1192), this craft has been found on prestigious and sacred pieces such as Buddhist and Shinto altar …

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Kyo-nui is traditional embroidery produced in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. This exquisite and graceful embroidery, reflecting the genteel culture of Kyoto, requires the highest level and most meticulous skills. Kyo-nui is distinguished by its pur…

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Kaga-nui is traditional embroidery produced in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, using a variety of threads, colorful silks, sumptuous golds and silvers, or heavy lacquered threads. Kaga-nui is known for its relief designs delicately stitched wi…

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Nara Ink, called Nara Sumi in Japanese, is Japanese ink (sumi) produced in Nara, Nara prefecture. It was the second sumi, following Suzuka Sumi of Mie prefecture, to be designated as a traditional craft. There are two types of sumi; shoenboku, mad…

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