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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Inami woodcarvings (called Inami chokoku in Japanese) are produced in the city of Nanto, Toyama prefecture mainly in the form of transoms*, decorative objects, and single-leaf screens**. They are usually made of Japanese camphor, paulownia, or zel…

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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 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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Kanazawa Butsudan refers to Buddhist altars which are made in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Rich culture exhibiting the Kaga clan’s power, which was established and fostered in Kanazawa commonly known as Kaga Hyakumangoku, and prodigious tec…

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Kawanabe Butsudan refers to Buddhist altars which are made in Kawanabe of Minami Kyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is characterized by its original techniques, which is called Gamado. Gama refers to a mountain cave in the Kagoshima dialect, an…

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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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Echizen Tansu are lacquer coated chests of drawers made in an area around Echizen City and Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture; they are mainly made of Japanese zelkova and paulownia, and decorated with iron fittings. Japanese zelkova, is a hard wood, w…

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Nanao Butsudan refers to Buddhist altars which are produced in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. As part of the Hokuriku region where Jodo Shinshu became widely ingrained long ago, Ishikawa is home to many well-known Buddhist altar production areas…

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Yame Fukushima Butsudan refers to Buddhist altars which are made in Yame City (former Fukushima Town), Fukushima Prefecture. Dotted with many temples, the Yame region had been noted for the grounding with devout faith since ancient times, which un…

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