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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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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Tobe ware (called Tobe yaki in Japanese) is a form of ceramic ware produced around the town of Tobe in Iyo district of Ehime prefecture. Production began in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868) and it was registered as a traditional craft by t…

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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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Ojiya chijimi textiles (called Ojiya chijimi in Japanese) is a handicraft produced from ramie in the area around the city of Ojiya in Niigata prefecture. Ramie is a tall plant of the nettle family that has been used to make cloth for centuries. R…

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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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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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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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Shiozawa tsumugi is a silk textile produced in the former town of Shiozawa (now a part of the city of Minamiuonuma), Niigata prefecture. The area is known for its heavy snowfall and wet winter climate which are ideal for weaving. Echigo jofu, a fa…

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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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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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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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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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Hon-shiozawa is a textile produced in the former town of Shiozawa (now a part of the city of Minamiuonuma), Niigata prefecture. It is one of the textiles that represent the region, which is famous for linen and silk textile production. This craft …

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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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Ojiya tsumugi is a silk fabric produced in the area around Ojiya, Niigata prefecture, which is a city known for heavy snow. Echigo jofu, a textile made of ramie, has been produced in this area for over a thousand years. As new weaving techniques …

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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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Niigata Lacquerware (called Niigata Shikki in Japanese) is a form of lacquerware produced in the area around the city of Niigata, Niigata prefecture. This craft has various coating techniques such as hana-nuri, ishime-nuri, nishiki-nuri, isokusa-n…

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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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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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Kamo Kiri Tansu are chests of drawers made of paulownia wood that are produced in and around the city of Kamo, Niigata prefecture. Today, a majority of all paulownia chests made in Japan are produced in Kamo. This craft can keep clothes safe from …

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Kyo Sashimono is a kind of wood joinery produced in the prefecture of Kyoto. Sashimono is a collective name for furniture and furnishings assembled with wood joints that originates from the process of measuring with a monosashi or woodwork ruler. …

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Kyo Komon are fine-patterned textiles produced in Kyoto prefecture. Kyoto, a historical center of dyed textiles, is renowned for its superb fabrics resulting from exceptional dyeing and stencil making. This craft has beautifully elegant colored pa…

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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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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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Kyo Buddhist Altars (called Kyo Butsudan in Japanese) are produced in the cities of Kyoto and Kameoka in Kyoto. Most Kyo Buddhist Altars are made for temples instead of households. They are professionally handcrafted by a number of respective expe…

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Kyo Embroidery (called Kyo-nui) is produced in Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture. This graceful craft reflects the elegance of Kyoto's culture and requires meticulous skill. Artisans of this craft pursue absolute perfection and freely use costly silk, …

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Murakami Carved Lacquerware (called Murakami Kibori Tsuishu in Japanese) is produced in the area around Murakami, Niigata prefecture. The region, which was formerly the Murakami domain, has been famous for its production of natural lacquer since t…

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Tsubame-tsuiki Copperware (called Tsubame Tsuiki Douki in Japanese) is a type of metalware made on the outskirts of Tsubame, Niigata prefecture. Since the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868), kettles and other crafts have been produced from coppe…

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