Shigaraki ware (called Shigaraki yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery made around the town of Shigaraki in Shiga prefecture. Clays such as kibushi, mizuchi, or gairome are kneaded to make a strong clay that can be used to make thick and large p…

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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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Takaoka copperware (called Takaoka doki in Japanese) is a type of copperware produced in the area around the city of Takaoka in Toyama prefecture. The various products range from small items such as indoor ornaments, Buddhist tools, and vases to l…

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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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Otani ware (called Otani yaki in Japanese) is a form of ceramics that is the most famous product of the city of Naruto in Tokushima prefecture, and is the representative craft for the prefecture. The notable characteristics of Otani ware are its s…

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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 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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Omi jofu is a textile produced in the region surrounding the town of Koto in Shiga prefecture. It is made with handwoven ramie threads. This craft has chic kasuri* or ikat patterns and a refreshing texture from being woven with fine ramie threads.…

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Takaoka lacquerware (called Takaoka shikki in Japanese) is produced in the area around the city of Takaoka, in Toyama prefecture. A defining feature of this lacquerware is the wide range of techniques and styles. Aogai-nuri is a technique that use…

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Wakasa lacquerware (called Wakasa-nuri in Japanese) is produced in the area around the city of Obama, Fukui prefecture. It is said to have originated in the early Edo period (1603-1868) when a craftsman serving the Obama domain (now the city of Ob…

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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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Awa Washi is Japanese paper made in Tokushima Prefecture in Yoshinogawa City, Naka-gun, Naka-cho and Miyoshi City, Ikeda-cho. It is produced using the traditional Washi papermaking methods of nagashisuki (papermaking in flowing water), and tamesuk…

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Etchu Washi is Japanese paper made in the area around Asahi Town, Yatsuo Town, and Taira Village in Toyama Prefecture; there are three production areas, each making their own types of washi; they are Gokayama Washi, Yatsuo Washi, and Birudan Washi…

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Hikone Butsudan refers to Buddhist altars which are produced in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Generously featuring luxurious materials in a 4-shaku (121.2cm) large altar body, Hikone Butsudan is synonymous with a high-grade Buddhist altar. It is …

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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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Wakasa agate craft (Wakasa meno zaiku in Japanese) is the agate craftwork produced around the city of Obama, Fukui prefecture. The Japanese word meno has two meanings: one refers to the sublime Buddhist paradise, and the other is the stone agate, …

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Awa Shoai Shijira Ori is a cotton textile produced in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Shijira Ori had been produced in Awa since the 18th century and the Shijira Ori dyed with Awa Ai was referred to as Awa Shoai Shijira Ori. It was designate…

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Shogawa woodcraft is mostly woodcraft articles such as bowls or trays made in a wide area of the Toyama prefecture including the city of Takaoka and the city of Tonami. Shogawa woodcraft was registered as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Ec…

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