Imari ware and Arita ware are both porcelain produced around the town of Arita, in the Saga prefecture. Imari ware and Arita ware are light and delicate and both have excellent durability because their porcelain is produced from porcelain stone. T…

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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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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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Hakata Dolls are traditional unglazed clay figures produced mainly in Fukuoka City and other parts of Fukuoka Prefecture. They are distinguished by finely modeled details, graceful contours, and delicate hand painting that makes use of the soft te…

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Karatsu Ware (called Karatsu Yaki) is a form of porcelain produced in the Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. This traditional craft has been produced since the 16th century in various forms, including tea bowls. One of the most notable features of Kar…

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Kurume Kasuri Textiles (Kurume Kasuri 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 warmth in the winte…

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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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Satsuma Ware (called Satsuma Yaki in Japanese) is a form of porcelain produced in Kagoshima prefecture. There are three types of Satsuma Ware: white, black, and porcelain. Then there are six categories: tateno, ryumonji, naeshirogawa, nishimochida…

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Mikawachi Ware is a traditional porcelain produced mainly in the Mikawachi area of Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It is known for delicate underglaze blue decoration on white porcelain, as well as highly refined techniques such as openwork carv…

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Agano Ware is a traditional pottery produced mainly in the Ueno area of Fukuchi Town, Fukuoka Prefecture. Having developed as tea ware for the Japanese tea ceremony, it is known for its relatively thin, lightweight forms and refined appearance. In…

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Beppu Bamboo Craft is a traditional bamboo craft produced mainly in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. On August 3, 1979, it was designated as a Traditional Craft by the Japanese government. The principal material is high-quality madake bamboo grown in…

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Shodai Ware is a traditional form of pottery produced mainly around Mount Shodai in northern Kumamoto Prefecture. Its principal production areas include Arao, Kumamoto, Uki, Nankan, and Nagasu. On March 17, 2003, it was designated as a Traditional…

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Yamaga Toro is a traditional washi paper craft produced in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture. On December 26, 2013, it was designated as a Traditional Craft by the Japanese government. Its most distinctive characteristic is that highly intricate t…

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Honba Oshima Tsumugi is a fabric made on the island of Amami, Kagoshima prefecture. It is one hundred percent plain silk that has been dyed and made on handlooms like shime-bata or te-bata. This textile has deep, muted tones as it is dyed with ye…

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Yame Lanterns (called Yame Chochin in Japanese) are a type of lantern craft produced in the region around Yame, Fukuoka prefecture. This craft has a bamboo frame and a fire box with beautifully painted flowers, birds, and plants. The bamboo frame …

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Amakusa ware (called Amakusa Tojiki in Japanese) is a form of pottery or porcelain baked in the Amakusa region of Kumamoto prefecture. The name was newly applied when the craft was designated as a national traditional craft. In Amakusa, where high…

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Miyakonojo Bows (called Miyakonojo Daikyu in Japanese) are bamboo archery bows produced in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki prefecture. The Miyakonojo area is known for growing high quality bamboo and has produced a variety of weapons like wooden swords as w…

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Kawanabe Butsudan (called Kawanabe Butsudan in Japanese) are made in the Kawanabe area of Minamikyushu, Kagoshima prefecture. There is a specific type of altar called gamado that is unique to this craft. Gama means cave in the Kagoshima dialect. A…

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Higo Zogan is inlaid metal work produced in Kumamoto, Kumamoto prefecture. This craft was formerly used to adorn the gun barrels or sword guards of samurai. Today, however, the skills are used to make personal accessories or interior ornaments. Th…

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Yame Fukushima Butsudan are Buddhist altars made in Yame City (former Fukushima Town), Fukushima Prefecture. Dotted with many temples, the Yame region had been a place where there were many devout Buddhists since ancient times, which supported the…

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Nagasaki Tortoiseshell 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. D…

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