Agano ware (called Agano yaki) is a form of pottery produced around the town of Fukuchi in Fukuoka prefecture. Agano ware is elegant and lightweight, stemming from its development as a tea bowl for use in tea ceremonies. In some cases, the foot o…

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Echizen cutlery (called Echizen uchihamono in Japanese) is produced around the city of Echizen, Fukui prefecture. A double layering technique is used for knives and a rotated steel joining technique for sickles. Double layering is a forging method…

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Echizen lacquerware (called Echizen shikki in Japanese) is produced in the area around the city of Sabae in Fukui prefecture. Lacquer is at the center of life in the Echizen district of Sabae, which is known as the city of manufacturing. The notab…

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Echizen washi is a Japanese traditional paper made in the basin of the Okafuto river of the Echizen region, Fukui prefecture. Washi is made mostly from the inner bark fibers of plants such as paper mulberry, paperbush, and ganpi. Echizen washi fea…

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

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Echizen ware (called Echizen yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery produced in the town of Echizen, Fukui prefecture. This traditional handicraft comes from one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan which along with Bizen, Tamba, Tokoname, Seto, and …

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Etchu washi is traditional Japanese paper made in Asahi, Yatsuo, and Taira in Toyama prefecture. Each production area makes their own type of washi which are called Gokayama washi, Yatsuo washi, and Birudan washi. This craft has slight regional va…

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Etchu Fukuoka no suge gasa, Etchu Fukuoka Sedge Hats, are a traditional craft produced in Takaoka, Tonami, Oyabe, and Nanto of Toyama prefecture. The sedges produced in Fukuoka, Toyama are top quality as they survive the severe winters of the Hok…

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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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Gifu lanterns (called Gifu chochin in Japanese) are produced in the city of Gifu, Gifu prefecture and have a history of over three hundred years. In 1995, their high level of craftsmanship was recognized with a designation as a National Traditiona…

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Hakata ori refers to the ori or woven cloth produced in and around Hakata, Fukuoka prefecture. Hakata weaving techniques, which originated in China, have shaped this unique cloth. It has been highly regarded for its high quality throughout the age…

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Hakata dolls (called Hakata ningyo in Japanese) are unglazed clay dolls produced in the city of Hakata, in Fukuoka prefecture. The notable features of Hakata dolls are their subtle soft colors, delicately carved expressions, and curves that almost…

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Hasami ware (called Hasami yaki in Japanese) is a form of porcelain produced in Hasami in Nagasaki prefecture. It is a traditional handicraft that was first produced in the latter part of the Sengoku period (1467-1603) and remains popular today as…

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Hida-shunkei lacquerware is produced around the city of Takayama in Gifu prefecture. The name is said to come from the fact that the articles produced initially had a similar coloring to Hishunkei tea containers. This craft is notable for having …

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Ichii woodcarvings (called Ichii itto bori in Japanese) are produced in the Hida region of Gifu prefecture, and made only from the wood of ichii (Japanese yew), the prefectural tree of Gifu. The ichii tree gets its name from a scepter made of Japa…

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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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Kaga Embroidery (Kaga-nui in Japanese) is traditional embroidery produced in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, using a variety of threads such as colorful silk threads, luxurious gold and silver threads, and lacquered threads. Kaga-nui is…

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Kaga textiles (called Kaga yuzen in Japanese) are kimonos produced around the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. This craft is noteworthy because of its use of five underlying tones: indigo, khaki, green, dark reddish purple, and deep red. Kyo…

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Kanazawa Buddhist Altars (called Kanazawa Butsudan in Japanese) are made in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. In the past, Ishikawa was an incredibly wealthy province called Kaga. This wealth was reflected in the rich Kaga culture of luxurious crafts…

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The word haku means metal leaf and Kanazawa haku is gold leaf produced in and around the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. This craft possesses the dazzling and elegant radiance of gold even after being worked on by craftsmen. A small piece o…

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Kanazawa lacquerware (called Kanazawa shikki in Japanese) is produced in the area around the city of Kanazawa, in Ishikawa prefecture. It was developed for the liking of feudal lords as it had the financial backing of the Kaga domain (present day …

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Koishiwara ware (called Koishiwara yaki in Japanese) is a form of pottery produced in the Asakura district of Fukuoka prefecture. Since its creation, Koishiwara ware has evolved to become a practical, beautiful pottery. Koishiwara ware's uniq…

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Kurume traditional resist-dyed textiles (Kurume gasuri in Japanese) is a woven cloth produced in and around the city of Kurume, Fukuoka prefecture. The breathability assures coolness in the summer and excellent heat-retaining properties provide wa…

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Kutani ware (called Kutani yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery manufactured in and around the city of Kaga in Ishikawa prefecture. It is a traditional handicraft that was first produced during the early Edo period (beginning of the 17th century…

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Mikawachi ware (called Mikawachi yaki in Japanese) is a form of porcelain produced around the city of Sasebo, in Nagasaki prefecture. Mikawachi ware has long been regarded as a high-class item due to its simple yet eyecatching blue dye on white po…

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Mino washi is a type of Japanese paper made in Gifu prefecture. Washi is made from paper mulberry which is a plant that grows in the city of Mino, a place of abundant forests. Ancient manuscripts in the Shosoin Repository* indicate the history of …

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Mino ware (called Mino yaki in Japanese) is a ceramic ware produced in the Tono area of Gifu prefecture. It has a long history and tradition but has adapted to modern life style. A notable feature of Mino ware is its wide variety of pottery. Mino …

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Nagasaki tortoise shell crafts called Nagasaki Bekko in Japanese, are mostly produced in the city of Nagasaki or Isahaya in the Nagasaki prefecture. The shells used come from a type of sea turtle living around the Equator called Hawksbill turtle. …

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Nanao Buddhist Altars called Nanao Butsudan in Japanese, are Buddhist altars produced in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. As part of the Hokuriku region where the Buddhist sect Jodo Shinshu became widely spread long ago, Ishikawa is home to many w…

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Ozu traditional Japanese paper (called Ozu washi in Japanese) is a handmade paper made in the town of Uchiko, Ehime prefecture. The history of papermaking of Ozu washi dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), and the current style of Ozu washi e…

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