Nambu Ironware (called Nambu tekki in Japanese) is a form of metalwork produced in Morioka City and Mizusawa, Oshu City in Iwate prefecture. It is a traditional craft that was first created in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868). The name �…

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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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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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Kamakura-bori is a type of lacquer ware made in the area around the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The tradition dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333) when Tsuishu and Tsuikoku, thickly lacquered wooden wares, were imported from …

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Hakone yosegi zaiku is a form of marquetry produced in the town of Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture, an area renowned for having the most natural environment in Japan. For this reason, there is a rich variety of tree species found on Mt. Hakone. Such a…

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Tsugaru lacquerware (called tsugaru nuri in Japanese) is produced around the city of Hirosaki in Aomori prefecture. Lacquerware has been produced in this region since the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868), but it began to be called Tsugaru lacq…

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Kyo folding fans (called Kyo sensu in Japanese with sensu meaning folding fan) are mainly produced in Kyoto. From ancient times they have been valued as high quality art works because of their beautiful designs with gold or silver leaves or gold l…

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Iwayado tansu is a traditional woodwork made in the cities of Oshu and Morioka, Iwate prefecture. Tansu means chest of drawers. In addition to clothing or organization chests, daily use items like tea cabinets, book shelves, and low tables are mad…

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Joboji lacquerware (called Joboji nuri in Japanese) is produced in the town of Joboji in Iwate prefecture. More than 98% of the lacquer used in Japan is imported from China or other countries. The Joboji area is known as the leading producer of do…

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Kiso lacquerware (called Kiso shikki in Japanese) is produced in Kiso district, now the city of Shiojiri, Nagano prefecture. The area where this craft is produced is a plateau approximately 900 meters above sea level. The climate has cool summers…

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Marugame uchiwa are a type of fan made in the area around the city of Marugame, Kagawa prefecture. It is believed that, in the early Edo period (1603-1868), the first Marugame uchiwa were made as souvenirs for pilgrims to the Konpira Shrine. The o…

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Matsumoto kagu is a type of Japanese traditional furniture made in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture and has been produced for over three hundred years, since the Edo period (1603-1868). The Second World War led production of this craft t…

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Boshu uchiwa is a type of fan made in the areas around the cities of Tateyama and Minamiboso in Chiba prefecture. This is one of Japan’s big three uchiwa types, with the other two being Marugame (Kagawa prefecture) and Kyo uchiwa (Kyoto prefecture…

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Edo sashimono is a type of wood joinery made in Tokyo with hand-cut dovetail joints and without nails. The word sashimono comes from the process of measuring with a monosashi or woodwork ruler. This craft is characterized by its restrained ornamen…

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Hidehira lacquerware (called Hidehira-nuri in Japanese) is produced in the area around the town of Hiraizumi, in Iwate prefecture. The defining feature of Hidehira lacquerware is the use of gold leaf produced in the area around Hiraizumi, which re…

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Kagawa lacquerware (called Kagawa shikki in Japanese) is produced in the area around the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa prefecture. There is a wide range of products, such as cake boxes, trays, low tables, and display cases, which are widely popular fo…

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Kyo uchiwa are a type of fan made in Kyoto prefecture. From the many types of Japanese traditional fans, there are three broad categories: Chinese-inspired, southern-inspired, and Korean-inspired with this craft coming from the third category. Th…

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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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Sakai traditional blades are hammer-forged knives produced in the cities of Osaka and Sakai, Osaka prefecture. To achieve both strength and cutting quality, this craft is made by combining soft iron and steel. This craft is forged to have a sharp…

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Ouchi lacquerware (called Ouchi nuri in Japanese) is produced around the city of Yamaguchi, in Yamaguchi prefecture. This craft emerged under the Ouchi clan, which boasted significant influence and power in the region during the Muromachi period (…

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Tokyo silverware (called Tokyo ginki in Japanese) is a form of metal handicraft produced mainly in different wards of Tokyo like Taito, Arakawa, and Bunkyo. It is a traditional craft that has been passed down from the Edo period (1603-1868), and e…

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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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Kishu lacquerware, also known as kuroe-nuri, is produced around the Kuro-e region northwest of the city of Kainan, Wakayama prefecture. This craft is simple, durable, and practical and has been popular as a household good since the Edo period (160…

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Edo wazao are fishing rods that are produced in the Kanto region, mainly Tokyo and the prefectures of Chiba and Saitama. This craft is named after the Edo lineage of the craftsmen and not the production area of Edo (now Tokyo). It is made from sev…

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Kishu bamboo fishing rods (called Kishu herazao in Japanese) are produced in the city of Hashimoto, Wakayama prefecture for catching Japanese crucian carp. The bamboos: suzutake, madake, and yadake are cut, left to dry for several years, and only …

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Kyo lacquerware (called Kyo shikki in Japanese) is produced in the Kyoto area. Since it developed at the same time as the tea ceremony culture, this craft possesses a wabi-sabi* quality. Kyo lacquerware has a thinner and more delicate wood grain t…

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Odawara lacquerware (called Odawara shikki in Japanese) is a type of lacquerware that is made in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa prefecture. It features a glossy lacquer finish which highlights the elegant grain of the wood material. While beautiful…

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Osaka naniwa pewterware (called Osaka naniwa suzuki in Japanese) is a metalwork produced in and around the city of Osaka, Osaka prefecture. In the past, tin mined in Japan was used, but today it is imported mainly from Thailand and Indonesia. This…

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Niigata Lacquerware (called Niigata Shikki in Japanese) is a form of lacquerware produced in the area around the city of Niigata, Niigata prefecture. This craft has various coating techniques such as hana-nuri, ishime-nuri, nishiki-nuri, isokusa-n…

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Kamo Kiri Tansu are chests of drawers made of paulownia wood that are produced in and around the city of Kamo, Niigata prefecture. Today, a majority of all paulownia chests made in Japan are produced in Kamo. This craft can keep clothes safe from …

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