Kamakura-bori is a type of lacquer ware made in the area around the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The tradition dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333) when Tsuishu and Tsuikoku, thickly lacquered wooden wares, were imported from …

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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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Tsugaru lacquerware (called tsugaru nuri in Japanese) is produced around the city of Hirosaki in Aomori prefecture. Lacquerware has been produced in this region since the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868), but it began to be called Tsugaru lacq…

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Iga ware (called iga yaki in Japanese) is a form of porcelain produced in the area around the city of Iga, Mie prefecture. The main production areas of this craft are the sites of Makiyama and Marubashira in the Ayama district of Iga and the excel…

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Kiso lacquerware (called Kiso shikki in Japanese) is produced in Kiso district, now the city of Shiojiri, Nagano prefecture. The area where this craft is produced is a plateau approximately 900 meters above sea level. The climate has cool summers…

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Matsumoto kagu is a type of Japanese traditional furniture made in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture and has been produced for over three hundred years, since the Edo period (1603-1868). The Second World War led production of this craft t…

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Sakai traditional blades are hammer-forged knives produced in the cities of Osaka and Sakai, Osaka prefecture. To achieve both strength and cutting quality, this craft is made by combining soft iron and steel. This craft is forged to have a sharp…

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Banshu abacuses (called Banshu soroban in Japanese) are produced in the city of Ono, Hyogo prefecture. Ono, an agricultural area blessed with a warm climate, started abacus production during its off-season. Japanese abacuses are traditional tools…

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Kiryu brocade (called Kiryu ori in Japanese) is a woven cloth produced in the city of Kiryu, Gunma prefecture. This area has a lush environment with excellent climate and terrain, helping it to be prosperous in the silk industry for years. Kiryu i…

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Suzuka inksticks (called Suzuka sumi in Japanese) are made in the city of Suzuka, Mie prefecture. This is the only inkstick craft registered as a Traditional Japanese Craft. Just one company, Shinseido, continues to produce Suzuka inksticks. This …

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Tamba-tachikui ware (called Tamba-tachikui yaki in Japanese) is a form of pottery produced around Konda in the city of Sasayama, Hyogo prefecture. It is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. Together with Bizen, Tamba, Echizen, Seto, and Tokoname…

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Yokkaichi banko ware (called Yokkaichi banko yaki in Japanese) is a form of ceramic ware produced in the city of Yokkaichi, Mie prefecture. For a long time, items for everyday use like teacups and plates, as well as pieces of art like vases have b…

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Izushi ware (called

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Odawara lacquerware (called Odawara shikki in Japanese) is a type of lacquerware that is made in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa prefecture. It features a glossy lacquer finish which highlights the elegant grain of the wood material. While beautiful…

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Osaka naniwa pewterware (called Osaka naniwa suzuki in Japanese) is a metalwork produced in and around the city of Osaka, Osaka prefecture. In the past, tin mined in Japan was used, but today it is imported mainly from Thailand and Indonesia. This…

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Osaka Buddhist altars (called Osaka butsudan in Japanese) are produced in the cities of Osaka, Yao, Higashiosaka, Sakai, and Kishiwada in Osaka prefecture. Along with the standard lacquer-painted, gold-leafed altars, this region is also known for …

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Shinshu tsumugi is a type of silk fabric also known as pongee and produced throughout Nagano prefecture. Each region in the prefecture has their own production styles and techniques. Also, the specific name of this fabric differs depending on the …

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Iga Braided Cords, called Iga Kumihimo in Japanese, are made in Mie prefecture. Mainly silk threads are used, often in combination with gold and silver threads. This craft is known for rich silk threads, being dyed in a vibrant range of colors, an…

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Iiyama Buddhist Altars, called Iiyama Butsudan in Japanese, are made around the city of Iiyama, Nagano prefecture. Iiyama is known for its people being devout to Buddhism since ancient times, which sustains the tradition of altar production. This …

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Osaka Transoms (called Osaka Ranma in Japanese) are transoms produced in and around the cities of Osaka, Kishiwada, and Suita in Osaka prefecture. In a Japanese-style house, transoms are wooden panels attached between the ceilings and lintels of t…

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Isesaki Kasuri is a type of woven fabric produced in Isesaki, Gunma prefecture. Mainly used for kimono, this fabric has been admired for its texture since ancient times. Today, neckties and shop curtains called noren in Japanese are also produced.…

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Uchiyama Gami is a type of traditional Japanese paper made in the Oku-shinano region of northern Nagano prefecture. As a region that gets heavy snowfall during the winter, papermaking production developed to provide supplementary income. This craf…

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The Japanese name of Ise Paper Stencil Printing is Ise Katagami. Katagami means paper stencil. Today this craft is mostly produced in the city of Suzuka in Mie prefecture. They are an important part of textile dyeing. For many years, such stencils…

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Shinshu Forged Blades or Shinshu Uchihamono in Japanese, are metalworks produced around Nagano, Nagano prefecture. As this area was formerly a province called Shinano which was also called Shinshu, these blades are known under the name of "Sh…

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Banshu Kebari are fishing flies used as artificial-bait hooks for fishing, produced in Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. They are characterized by their exquisitely fine workmanship; bird feathers wound with silk thread around a small 1cm hook, ad…

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Banshu Miki Uchihamono are metalwork produced around Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Like Shinshu Uchihamono and Tosa Uchihamono, Banshu Miki Uchihamono is renowned as a craft made using molding techniques. These areas are also known as large product…

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Osaka Karaki Wood Joinery, called Osaka Karaki Sashimono in Japanese, are wooden articles manufactured in several cities of Osaka Prefecture. Karaki is wood from trees mainly grown in Southeast Asia, and include rosewood, ebony, Chinese quince, an…

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Toyooka Wicker Crafts, called Toyooka Kiryu Zaiku in Japanese, is wickerwork produced around Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. The origins of the craft are found in the baskets woven from Salix koriyanagi, a species of willow naturally growing in th…

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Nagiso Rokuro Zaiku are completely handmade woodwork items made in the area around Nagiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture. This traditional craft originated in the first half of the 18th century and is known for a special skilled manufacturing c…

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Osaka Kongo Sudare are bamboo blinds produced in the cities of Tondabayashi and Kawachi-Nagano in Osaka Prefecture. Tondabayashi City lies at the foot of Mt. Kongo, the highest mountain in Osaka, and good quality Japanese timber bamboo growing nat…

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