Kaba cherrybark woodcrafts (called Kaba zaiku in Japanese) are a type of wood bark craft produced in the former town of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture. While the character for kaba means birch, for this context the word refers to the bark of wild ch…

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Odate mage-wappa is a bentwood craft produced all over the city of Odate, Akita prefecture. This craft is well-known both domestically and abroad for having a beautiful curved shape and being lightweight. The key feature of Odate bentwood is the b…

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Beppu take-zaiku are bamboo crafts produced in the city of Beppu, Oita prefecture mainly from odake bamboo* grown and harvested locally. This craft is entirely handmade and uses a distinctive range of basic weaving techniques. It is also the only …

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Miyakonojo Bows (called Miyakonojo Daikyu in Japanese) are bamboo archery bows produced in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki prefecture. The Miyakonojo area is known for growing high quality bamboo and has produced a variety of weapons like wooden swords as w…

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Osaka Transoms (called Osaka Ranma in Japanese) are transoms produced in and around the cities of Osaka, Kishiwada, and Suita in Osaka prefecture. In a Japanese-style house, transoms are wooden panels attached between the ceilings and lintels of t…

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Kasukabe Kiri-tansu (paulownia chests of drawers) are masterpieces of traditional woodwork made in an area around Saitama City and Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture. The paulownia used to make Kasukabe Kiri-tansu has excellent moisture-barrier an…

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Osaka Karaki Sashimono are wooden articles manufactured in several cities of Osaka Prefecture. Karaki are woods from trees mainly grown in Southeast Asia, and include rosewood, ebony, Chinese quince, and Bombay black wood. Sashimono (joinery) is…

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Since around the late Heian period (11th century), handmade Akita cedar tubs and barrels have been produced from locally grown cedar timber in the cities of Odate and Noshiro of Akita Prefecture. Products made of masame (straight grain) wood and w…

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Osaka Kongo Sudare are bamboo blinds produced in the cities of Tondabayashi and Kawachi-Nagano in Osaka Prefecture. Tondabayashi City lies at the foot of Mt. Kongo, the highest mountain in Osaka, and good quality madake bamboo growing naturally in…

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Osaka Senshu Kiri Tansu are wooden chests of drawers made in an area around Kishiwada City and Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. They are made from Paulownia wood, much appreciated for its durability and excellent moisture- and fire-resistant propert…

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