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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KamoKiri Tansu are chests of drawers made of paulownia wood and produced in Kamo city in Niigata prefecture. Today about 70% of all paulownia chests made in Japan come from Kamo. The characteristics of KamoKiri Tansu are that they can keep clothes…

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Miyakonojo Daikyu are bamboo bows produced in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture. The Miyakonojo City area is known as a place where good quality bamboo grows. In olden times, in addition to the making of bows, the area produced a variety of wea…

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Okuaizu Amikumi Zaiku is basketry produced in the Mishima Town area, Onuma County, Fukushima Prefecture. This mountainous area in the Okuaizu region has much snow and during winter farmers are unable to work in the fields; as handwork in the snowy…

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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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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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