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Video article 7:28
Pewter - A Craft Produced by Master Artisans That Has Been Passed Down for Generations in Japan. A Close Look at One Pewtersmith Who Respects the Tradition of His Craft and a Look at His Beautiful Works
Traditional Crafts- 27 plays
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Video article 4:00
Traditional Japanese Candles - Preserving a Beautiful Craft
Traditional Crafts History- 86 plays
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Video article 2:25
The Tokyo National Museum - Learn About Japan's History Through Swords! The History of Japan Is Etched Into Each Piece of This Massive Collection!
Traditional Crafts History- 36 plays
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Video article 7:49
The Fifth Generation Craftsman of Takazawa Candle, Which Has Been Around Since the Meiji Period, Talks About His Passion for Traditional Crafts! The Flames of Nanao Candles, Made by the Artisans of Nanao, Ishikawa, Will Soothe Your Soul...
Traditional Crafts- 183 plays
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Video article 6:48
The Amazing World of Bonsai! Learn About the Expert Techniques, the Beauty of the Natural Materials, and How They Combine With the Artist's Personal Touch to Create a Wonderful and Unique Work of Art!
Traditional Crafts- 135 plays
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Video article 4:03
Valuable Footage of "Inami Wood Carving"- A Traditional Handicraft of Toyama Prefecture. The Sculptures Created by These Craftsmen Are the Pride of Japan's Art!
Traditional Crafts- 537 plays
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Video article 3:30
Miyagi Kokeshi Dolls - Learn About the Skills of Traditional Kokeshi Doll Makers From Miyagi Prefecture and their Craft That Has Been Delivering Smiles to Children for Years!
Traditional Crafts- 183 plays
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Video article 3:18
Introducing Tohoku's Most Ancient Traditional Craft, Aizu-Hongo Ware. The Works, Made by Skilled Potters in Fukushima, Are More Than Mere Pottery - They're Works of Art!
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Video article 4:42
Introducing the Outstanding Craftsmanship of Tokyo Some-Komon! The Delicate Designs of These Kimono and Obi Are Carefully Handmade by Artisans
Traditional Crafts- 423 plays
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Video article 37:28
The Inkan – A Crucial Item for All of the Important Events in Your Life, and an Essential Part of Japanese Culture. In This Article, We'll Hear From the Inkan Craftsmen Who Skillfully Carve the Complicated Designs for Inkan!
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Video article 9:31
Gifu Wagasa: A Beautiful Skill Passed Down Through Generations. A Look at the Danger and Possibility of This Important Cultural Tradition of Gifu, Dying Out
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Video article 5:09
The Beautiful, Shiny "Kanazawa Gold Leaf" of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Is an Essential Part of Japan's Traditional Culture of Decorating Luxury Goods. How Are the Beautiful Products Made? Check Out This Video To Find Out!
Traditional Crafts- 202 plays
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Video article 3:26
Iga Kumihimo: This Braided Cord Craft From Mie Prefecture Became a Hot Topic After Being Featured in the Popular Animated Film "Your Name." The Beautiful Designs Braided With Precise Techniques Are a Work of Art!
Traditional Crafts- 372 plays
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Video article 9:47
Wadaiko: The Traditional Japanese Drum Used at Festivals. Meet the Craftsman Protecting Traditional Techniques That Require Several Years to Be Completed
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Video article 9:31
Gifu Wagasa: A Beautiful Skill Passed Down Through Generations. A Look at the Danger and Possibility of This Important Cultural Tradition of Gifu, Dying Out
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Video article 4:04
Chasen: Introducing the Characteristics and History of the Takayama Tea Whisk – A 500-Year-Old Utensil Essential for Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
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Video article 3:12
Koshu Inden - A Beautiful Craft Using Lacquered Deer Leather. Discover Japanese Culture and Craftsmanship With These Amazing Artisans in Kofu, Yamanashi!
Traditional Crafts History- 199 plays
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Video article 16:32
Kutani Ware: A Style of Traditional Japanese Porcelain in Ishikawa Prefecture, Characterized by Its Elaborate Use of Brilliant Colors. Find Out Where to Get Your Hands on These Works of Art!
Traditional Crafts History- 171 plays
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Video article 1:53
Aizome Is a Traditional Dyeing Technique That Has Been Handed Down in Tokushima for Generations. Experience the Depth of Traditional Japanese Dyeing!
Traditional Crafts- 76 plays
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Video article 9:59
Enshu Onigawara: Traditional Crafts Said to House the Souls of the Demons Themselves! Only the Most Skilled Craftsmen Can Produce Their Soul Piercing Glares. These Master Artisans in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Share Their Thoughts on Enshu Onigawara
Traditional Crafts- 556 plays
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Video article 9:42
True Craftsmanship! You Won't Be Able To Take Your Eyes off These Edo Brooms for Even a Second! How a Masterpiece of Tokyo That'll Last You 10 Years, Came To Be!
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Video article 21:10
What Makes Amezaiku One of Japan's Most Prized Traditional Crafts? If You Look at the Craftsmanship of Japan, the Country of Manufacturing, You'll Understand Why...
Traditional Crafts- 487 plays
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Video article 3:09
A Rare Video Explaining the Production Process of One of Toyama’s Traditional Crafts "Takaoka Copper Casting" - One of the Most Popular Arts/Crafts in the World, Passed Down for Over 400 Years
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Video article 10:44
The Secrets of "Fusuma," a Traditional Craft Indispensable to Japanese Homes! Don’t Miss the Beauty of the Traditional Artwork That Uses Gold and Silver Dust!
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Traditional Crafts Overview
What Are Traditional Japanese Crafts?
Traditional crafts are made from materials produced in each region of Japan and have been produced for many years using traditional techniques and craftsmanship.
Traditional Japanese crafts are regulated by the
Act on the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries as follows.
1. They are items mainly used in daily life.
2. Major parts of the manufacturing process are done by hand.
3. They are manufactured using traditional techniques and technologies.
4. They use traditional raw materials.
5. Production areas have been established in specific locations.
It is said that there are currently more than 1,300 types of traditional crafts in Japan.
Of those, 235 are designated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as "Traditional Crafts" with the new additions of "Gyoda Tabi," "Edo Sashie," and "Naniwa Honzome" in November 2019.
A Look at Some of Japan's Traditional Crafts
There are around 25,000 companies dealing in traditional crafts across Japan, and approximately 140,000 people working in the traditional craft industry, with a production value of about 100 billion yen (~$950m USD).
The production of traditional crafts peaked in 1984, and since then, production has been decreasing year by year due to the economic stagnation caused by the collapse of the bubble economy and the increasing quality of products imported from overseas.
Traditional Japanese crafts include textiles, dyed goods, ceramics, lacquerware, woodwork, bamboo products, metalwork, Buddhist altars, Buddhist instruments, Japanese paper, stationery (brushes, inksticks, inkstones, abacuses), stonework, dolls, local toys, folding fans, uchiwa fans, wagasa (Japanese umbrellas), paper lanterns, Japanese musical instruments, Shinto instruments and furnishings, congratulatory and consolation goods, craft tools, and craft materials.
All of the 47 prefectures in Japan have a variety of registered traditional crafts, with Kyoto Prefecture having the most, followed by Tochigi, Fukushima, Shimane, Ibaraki, Shiga, Tokyo, Yamagata, Kagawa, and Mie Prefectures.
Popular traditional crafts from all over Japan include Nambu ironware (Iwate), Arita ware (Saga), Hasami ware (Nagasaki), Kutani ware (Ishikawa), Edo-kiriko (cut glass) (Tokyo), Mashiko ware (Tochigi), Shigaraki ware (Shiga), Kumano brushes (Hiroshima), Wajima-nuri (Ishikawa), Bizen ware (Okayama), Hagi ware (Yamaguchi), Koishiwara ware (Fukuoka), Mino ware (Gifu) Yomiuri ware (Saga Prefecture), Yosegi (Kanagawa Prefecture), Nishijin-ori (Kyoto Prefecture), Kaga Yuzen (Ishikawa Prefecture), Tokoname ware (Aichi Prefecture), Tobe ware (Ehime Prefecture), Karatsu ware (Saga Prefecture), Kiyomizu ware (Kyoto Prefecture), Yuuki tsumugi (Ibaraki and Tochigi Prefectures), Arimatsu Narumi Shibori (Aichi Prefecture), and Koshu Inden (Yamanashi Prefecture), among others.
Aside from the famous crafts on the list of our most popular recommendations, many people buy traditional crafts as souvenirs, gifts, and presents, as they can learn about Japanese culture and the spirit of Wabi-Sabi and feel the splendor of Japanese craftsmanship. Japanese crafts are also popular among visitors to Japan as a Japanese art form.
The following is the ranking of traditional Japanese crafts that are appreciated as gifts and souvenirs for foreigners, as announced by Japan Prize Corporation in "Tips for Choosing Gifts for Overseas Business Trips That Won't Fail!"
No. 1 Cloisonne ware (frame)
No. 2 Lacquer ware screens
No. 3 Cloisonne ware (plates)
No. 4 Decorative samurai helmet
No. 5 Tokyo silver okimono
No. 6 Lacquerware byobu clock
No. 7 Lacquerware stationery set
No. 8 Furoshiki kimono
No. 9 Maki-e books
No.10 Maki-e USB
Edo Kiriko - One of Japan's Most Popular Traditional Crafts
Here, we'll introduce "Edo Kiriko," an especially popular traditional Japanese craft.
Kiriko (faceting) is a technique that involves cutting the surface of glass.
Edo Kiriko dates back to 1834, approximately 200 years ago, when a glassworker in Odenma, Edo, used sand to cut the surface of foreign glassware brought in by the Portuguese.
Perry was astonished by the beauty and delicate design of this cut glass piece when it was presented to him as a gift during the arrival of the Black Ships in 1853.
During the Edo period, Edo Kiriko was sold for daily use, including glassware and goldfish bowls, as well as glass tableware.
Enjoying Traditional Japanese Crafts
Japan's traditional crafts are the result of the handiwork of artisans and the mastery of Japanese craftsmanship, and they are something the Japanese are proud to be a part of.
Nowadays, it's easy to find products from all over the world through online shopping, but one of the best parts of traveling is experiencing traditional Japanese craftsmanship with your own eyes.
In recent years, more and more foreigners have come to Japan to experience traditional craftsmanship through hands-on tours.
The following is a ranking of the most popular "Cultural Experiences and Hands-on Experiences" by Activity Japan
No. 1 Pottery Making Experience and Ceramic Art Workshop
No. 2 Kimono and Yukata Rental
No. 3 Accessory Making
No. 4 Glass Making Workshop
No. 5 Making Japanese Sweets
No. 6 Soba Making Experience and Soba Making Workshop
No. 7 Interior and Miscellaneous Goods Making Class
No. 8 Candle Making
No. 9 Perfume and Aroma Experience
No. 10 Marine Crafts
As you can see, traditional Japanese crafts are very popular among foreigners, but in reality, they have many problems due to the emphasis on history and quality.
Further problematic is a lack of young people to take over the crafts, a shortage of domestic raw materials, and the high cost of traditional Japanese crafts compared to competing products made in developing countries.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a site that introduces the charms of Japan through videos related to traditional Japanese crafts!