Unshu abacuses (called Unshu soroban in Japanese) are produced in the town of Okuizumo, Shimane prefecture. Japanese abacuses are traditional tools that use columns lined with beads that are quickly moved with the fingers to do calculations. They …

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Iwami ware (called Iwami yaki) is a type of pottery produced around the city of Gotsu, Shimane prefecture. Iwami ware is strong, has low water absorbency and is resistant to salt, acid, and alkali which makes it suitable for storing pickled plums …

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Mumyoi Ware is a pottery that has been passed down for generations in Sado, Niigata. Mumyoi is made of the minerals containing iron oxide found in the quartzites of the Sado Gold Mine. It is said to have been used as medicine for hemostasis and pa…

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