Japanese umbrellas are not only used on rainy days or as parasols, but there are also umbrellas used for dancing and larger parasols called nodategasa used for outdoor tea ceremonies. They become very slim and delicate when they are closed, and t…

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Niigata Shirone Butsudan are Buddhist altars which are mainly made in Niigata city, Niigata prefecture. Japanese cypress, zelkova, Japanese cherry, Japanese white pine and pine are usually used for the altar base. Niigata Shirone Butsudan is chara…

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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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