Kumamoto
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Mashiko ware Mashiko yaki
- Ceramic
- Tochigi
Mashiko ware (called Mashiko yaki in Japanese) is produced in the area around the town of Mashiko in Tochigi prefecture. The clay used in Mashiko ware is rich in silicic acid and iron with a high plasticity, making it easy to shape and highly fire…
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Shigaraki ware Shigaraki yaki
- Ceramic
- Shiga
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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Nishijin brocade Nishijin ori
- Woven textiles
- Kyoto
Nishijin brocade (called Nishijin ori in Japanese) is woven silk produced in the northwestern part of Kyoto. Kamigyo ward and Kita ward cover this area of Kyoto today, but this area is called Nishijin. According to official rules, only the brocade…
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Kyo textiles Kyo yuzen
- Dyed textiles
- Kyoto
Kyo textiles are dyed textiles made throughout Kyoto prefecture that feature a wide range of vivid colors and a technique of pictorial designs of animals, nature and daily items called yuzenmoyo. The dyeing method is very unique as artisans put gl…
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Kyo folding fans Kyo sensu
- Other crafts
- Kyoto
Kyo folding fans (called Kyo sensu in Japanese with sensu meaning folding fan) are mainly produced in Kyoto. From ancient times they have been valued as high quality art works because of their beautiful designs with gold or silver leaves or gold l…
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Echizen traditional Japanese paper Echizen washi
- Traditional Japanese paper
- Fukui
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 lacquerware Echizen shikki
- Lacquerware
- Fukui
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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Ogatsu inkstone Ogatsu suzuri
- Writing tools
- Miyagi
Ogatsu inkstone (called Ogatsu suzuri in Japanese) is a craft produced in the former town of Ogatsu (now city of Ishinomaki), Miyagi prefecture, where artisans still carefully hand carve and polish every piece. What is unique to Ogatsu inkstone i…
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Kyo doll Kyo ningyo
- Dolls, kokeshi
- Kyoto
Kyo dolls (called Kyo ningyo in Japanese) are produced in the city of Kyoto and its surrounding areas in Kyoto prefecture. They are made by several different artisans with their specialized expertise. There are doll head artisans as well as those …
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Shodai ware Shodai yaki
- Ceramic
- Kumamoto
Shodai ware (called Shodai yaki in Japanese) is a form of pottery baked mainly in the northern part of Kumamoto prefecture. This craft is distinguishable because of its simple texture, strong form, and bold design, which is due to the pouring meth…
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Yamaga lanterns Yamaga toro
- Other crafts
- Kumamoto
Yamaga toro are lanterns made of washi (traditional Japanese paper) produced in the area surrounding the city of Yamaga, Kumamoto prefecture. For the Yamaga Lantern Festival, an annual summer event, this craft is worn by one thousand dancing women…
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Echizen ware Echizen yaki
- Ceramic
- Fukui
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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Kyo uchiwa fans Kyo uchiwa
- Other crafts
- Kyoto
Kyo uchiwa are a type of fan made in Kyoto prefecture. From the many types of Japanese traditional fans, there are three broad categories: Chinese-inspired, southern-inspired, and Korean-inspired with this craft coming from the third category. Th…
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Tendo Japanese chess pieces Tendo shogi koma
- Other crafts
- Yamagata
Tendo Japanese chess pieces (called Tendo shogi koma in Japanese) are made in the cities of Tendo, Yamagata, and Murayama in Yamagata prefecture. Production is thought to have begun in Tendo back during the Edo period (1603-1868) and now the city …
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Yamagata cast iron Yamagata imono
- Metal works
- Yamagata
Yamagata cast iron (called Yamagata imono in Japanese) is produced in the city of Yamagata, Yamagata prefecture. At first, metal fittings, Buddhist statues, and daily use items were made. Then, as skills and techniques were developed, iron kettles…
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Omi ramie cloth Omi jofu
- Woven textiles
- Shiga
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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Sakai cutlery Sakai uchihamono
- Metal works
- Osaka
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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Wakasa lacquerware Wakasa nuri
- Lacquerware
- Fukui
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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Banshu abacus Banshu soroban
- Writing tools
- Hyogo
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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Nara brushes Nara fude
- Writing tools
- Nara
Nara brushes (called Nara fude in Japanese) are brushes produced in and around the neighboring cities of Nara and Yamatokoriyama, Nara prefecture. Nara is considered to be the birthplace of brush making in Japan. The oldest existing brushes in Jap…
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Tamba-tachikui ware Tamba tachikui yaki
- Ceramic
- Hyogo
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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Echizen cutlery Echizen uchihamono
- Metal works
- Fukui
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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Izushi ware Izushi yaki
- Ceramic
- Hyogo
Izushi ware (called
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Kishu lacquerware Kishu shikki
- Lacquerware
- Wakayama
Kishu lacquerware, also known as kuroe-nuri, is produced around the Kuro-e region northwest of the city of Kainan, Wakayama prefecture. This craft is simple, durable, and practical and has been popular as a household good since the Edo period (160…
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Kyo ware/Kiyomizu ware Kyo yaki Kiyomizu yaki
- Ceramic
- Kyoto
Kyo-ware/Kiyomizu-ware (called Kyo yaki/Kiyomizu yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery produced in the Kyoto area. Originally, Kyo-ware was a general term for all pottery produced in Kyoto, while Kiyomizu-ware specifically referred to pottery pro…
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Kishu bamboo fishing rods Kishu herazao
- Wood, bamboo crafts
- Wakayama
Kishu bamboo fishing rods (called Kishu herazao in Japanese) are produced in the city of Hashimoto, Wakayama prefecture for catching Japanese crucian carp. The bamboos: suzutake, madake, and yadake are cut, left to dry for several years, and only …
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Kyo laquerware Kyo shikki
- Lacquerware
- Kyoto
Kyo lacquerware (called Kyo shikki in Japanese) is produced in the Kyoto area. Since it developed at the same time as the tea ceremony culture, this craft possesses a wabi-sabi* quality. Kyo lacquerware has a thinner and more delicate wood grain t…
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Oitama tsumugi silk Oitama tsumugi
- Woven textiles
- Yamagata
Oitama tsumugi is a silk fabric produced in the Yonezawa, Hakutaka and Nagai regions of Oitama in southern Yamagata prefecture. The area was well-known for producing and exporting ramie, a tall plant of the nettle family that has been used to make…
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Osaka naniwa pewterware Osaka naniwa suzuki
- Metal works
- Osaka
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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Kyo braided cords Kyo kumihimo
- Other textiles
- Kyoto
Kyo Braided Cords (called Kyo Kumihimo in Japanese) are produced around the cities of Kyoto and Uji, Kyoto prefecture. Since the Heian period (794-1192), this craft has been found on prestigious and sacred pieces such as Buddhist and Shinto altar …
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