Japanese Crafts

Stories and guides about Japanese Crafts — the culture, history, and craft behind it.

What Is Furoshiki? The Art of Japanese Fabric Wrapping
Japanese Crafts

What Is Furoshiki? The Art of Japanese Fabric Wrapping

3 min read
What Is Kintsugi? The Japanese Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold
Japanese Crafts

What Is Kintsugi? The Japanese Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold

3 min read
The Art of Japanese Paper Making: A Journey Through Washi's Ancient Craft
Japanese Crafts

The Art of Japanese Paper Making: A Journey Through Washi's Ancient Craft

3 min read
Understanding Urushi Lacquerware Traditions: Japan's Ancient Art of Natural Lacquer
Japanese Crafts

Understanding Urushi Lacquerware Traditions: Japan's Ancient Art of Natural Lacquer

3 min read
How Indigo Dyeing Shapes the Soul of Japanese Textiles
Japanese Crafts

How Indigo Dyeing Shapes the Soul of Japanese Textiles

3 min read
Exploring The World Of Japanese Bamboo Crafts: A Beginner's Guide
Japanese Crafts

Exploring The World Of Japanese Bamboo Crafts: A Beginner's Guide

3 min read
What Is Kumiko Woodwork? The Intricate Art of Japanese Lattice Joinery
Japanese Crafts

What Is Kumiko Woodwork? The Intricate Art of Japanese Lattice Joinery

3 min read
The History of Japanese Lacquer Art: From Ancient Origins to Modern Mastery
Japanese Crafts

The History of Japanese Lacquer Art: From Ancient Origins to Modern Mastery

3 min read
The Craft of Japanese Knife Forging: Mastery Behind the Blade
Japanese Crafts

The Craft of Japanese Knife Forging: Mastery Behind the Blade

3 min read
Understanding Shibori: The Ancient Art of Japanese Tie-Dye Techniques
Japanese Crafts

Understanding Shibori: The Ancient Art of Japanese Tie-Dye Techniques

3 min read
The Beauty of Yuzen Dyeing: Mastering the Art of Kimono Painting
Japanese Crafts

The Beauty of Yuzen Dyeing: Mastering the Art of Kimono Painting

3 min read
Nishijin Weaving: The Technical Mastery Behind Kyoto's Legendary Brocade Tradition
Japanese Crafts

Nishijin Weaving: The Technical Mastery Behind Kyoto's Legendary Brocade Tradition

3 min read
Magewappa: The Art and Craft of Japanese Bentwood Boxes
Japanese Crafts

Magewappa: The Art and Craft of Japanese Bentwood Boxes

3 min read
How Tatami Mats Are Made: The Ancient Craft Behind Japan's Living Floors
Japanese Crafts

How Tatami Mats Are Made: The Ancient Craft Behind Japan's Living Floors

3 min read
How Shoji Doors Are Constructed: The Art of Japanese Paper Sliding Screens
Japanese Crafts

How Shoji Doors Are Constructed: The Art of Japanese Paper Sliding Screens

3 min read
Kintsugi at Home: A Beginner's Guide to the Japanese Art of Golden Repair
Japanese Crafts

Kintsugi at Home: A Beginner's Guide to the Japanese Art of Golden Repair

3 min read
Why Everything In Japan Is Wrapped So Beautifully: The Art of Furoshiki Gift Wrapping Cloth
Japanese Crafts

Why Everything In Japan Is Wrapped So Beautifully: The Art of Furoshiki Gift Wrapping Cloth

3 min read
Nishijin Weaving: Inside Kyoto's 1,200-Year Textile Quarter
Japanese Crafts

Nishijin Weaving: Inside Kyoto's 1,200-Year Textile Quarter

3 min read
Kaga Yuzen: The Art of Hand-Painting Kimono in Kanazawa
Japanese Crafts

Kaga Yuzen: The Art of Hand-Painting Kimono in Kanazawa

3 min read
Awa Indigo: Tokushima's Living Legacy of True Japan Blue
Japanese Crafts

Awa Indigo: Tokushima's Living Legacy of True Japan Blue

3 min read
Wajima: The Town That Perfected Japan's Finest Lacquer
Japanese Crafts

Wajima: The Town That Perfected Japan's Finest Lacquer

3 min read
Aizu Lacquerware: The Resilient Craft of Japan's Samurai City
Japanese Crafts

Aizu Lacquerware: The Resilient Craft of Japan's Samurai City

3 min read
Morioka and Nambu Ironware: The Legendary Iron Kettles of Iwate
Japanese Crafts

Morioka and Nambu Ironware: The Legendary Iron Kettles of Iwate

3 min read
Tsubame-Sanjo: Inside Japan's 400-Year Metalworking Capital
Japanese Crafts

Tsubame-Sanjo: Inside Japan's 400-Year Metalworking Capital

3 min read
Sakai Knives: The Legendary Blades Professional Chefs Swear By
Japanese Crafts

Sakai Knives: The Legendary Blades Professional Chefs Swear By

3 min read
Echizen Washi: 1,500 Years of Japanese Papermaking Tradition
Japanese Crafts

Echizen Washi: 1,500 Years of Japanese Papermaking Tradition

3 min read
Magewappa: The Art of Odate's Bentwood Boxes Made From Akita Cedar
Japanese Crafts

Magewappa: The Art of Odate's Bentwood Boxes Made From Akita Cedar

3 min read
Kiryu Textile: Inside Japan's Historic Silk-Weaving City
Japanese Crafts

Kiryu Textile: Inside Japan's Historic Silk-Weaving City

3 min read
Kurume Kasuri: The Indigo Ikat Tradition of Fukuoka
Japanese Crafts

Kurume Kasuri: The Indigo Ikat Tradition of Fukuoka

3 min read
Bingata: The Vibrant Art of Okinawa's Traditional Textile Dyeing
Japanese Crafts

Bingata: The Vibrant Art of Okinawa's Traditional Textile Dyeing

3 min read
Takaoka Copperware: Four Centuries of Bronze Casting Tradition in Japan
Japanese Crafts

Takaoka Copperware: Four Centuries of Bronze Casting Tradition in Japan

3 min read
Yamanaka Lacquer: The Art of Lathe-Turned Wood from Kaga
Japanese Crafts

Yamanaka Lacquer: The Art of Lathe-Turned Wood from Kaga

3 min read
Hakone Yosegi: The Art of Japanese Mosaic Woodwork From Mountain Forests
Japanese Crafts

Hakone Yosegi: The Art of Japanese Mosaic Woodwork From Mountain Forests

3 min read
Mino Washi: The Traditional Paper Behind Japan's Luminous Screens and Lanterns
Japanese Crafts

Mino Washi: The Traditional Paper Behind Japan's Luminous Screens and Lanterns

3 min read
Tosa Washi: The Feather-Light Paper Tradition of Kochi
Japanese Crafts

Tosa Washi: The Feather-Light Paper Tradition of Kochi

3 min read
Yuki Tsumugi: The Silk That Takes A Year
Japanese Crafts

Yuki Tsumugi: The Silk That Takes A Year

3 min read
Oshima Tsumugi: The Ancient Art of Amami's Mud-Dyed Silk
Japanese Crafts

Oshima Tsumugi: The Ancient Art of Amami's Mud-Dyed Silk

3 min read
Tsugaru Nuri: Aomoris Speckled Lacquer
Japanese Crafts

Tsugaru Nuri: Aomoris Speckled Lacquer

3 min read
Kishu Lacquer: The Everyday Urushi Tradition of Wakayama
Japanese Crafts

Kishu Lacquer: The Everyday Urushi Tradition of Wakayama

3 min read
Seki: The Blade City of the Samurai Where Steel Became Legend
Japanese Crafts

Seki: The Blade City of the Samurai Where Steel Became Legend

3 min read
Hakata Dolls: The Painted Clay Figures That Capture Fukuoka's Soul
Japanese Crafts

Hakata Dolls: The Painted Clay Figures That Capture Fukuoka's Soul

3 min read
Naruko Kokeshi: The Wooden Dolls of Tohoku That Speak Through Sound
Japanese Crafts

Naruko Kokeshi: The Wooden Dolls of Tohoku That Speak Through Sound

3 min read
Kyoto Folding Fans: A Thousand Years of Sensu Craftsmanship
Japanese Crafts

Kyoto Folding Fans: A Thousand Years of Sensu Craftsmanship

3 min read
Marugame Uchiwa: Inside Japan's Round Fan Capital and Its 300-Year Craft
Japanese Crafts

Marugame Uchiwa: Inside Japan's Round Fan Capital and Its 300-Year Craft

3 min read
Kumano Brushes: Inside Hiroshima's Town of Fude Masters
Japanese Crafts

Kumano Brushes: Inside Hiroshima's Town of Fude Masters

3 min read
Ogatsu Suzuri: The Revered Slate Inkstones of Miyagi
Japanese Crafts

Ogatsu Suzuri: The Revered Slate Inkstones of Miyagi

3 min read
Nara Sumi: The Ancient Art of Japanese Ink Making
Japanese Crafts

Nara Sumi: The Ancient Art of Japanese Ink Making

3 min read
Beppu Bamboo: The Art of Japan's Finest Woven Craft
Japanese Crafts

Beppu Bamboo: The Art of Japan's Finest Woven Craft

3 min read
Suruga Bambooware: The Art of Round-Rod Bamboo Craft from Shizuoka
Japanese Crafts

Suruga Bambooware: The Art of Round-Rod Bamboo Craft from Shizuoka

3 min read
Koshu Inden: The Art of Lacquered Deerskin from Yamanashi
Japanese Crafts

Koshu Inden: The Art of Lacquered Deerskin from Yamanashi

3 min read
Echizen Ware: Fukui's Ancient Kiln of Everyday Stoneware
Japanese Crafts

Echizen Ware: Fukui's Ancient Kiln of Everyday Stoneware

3 min read
Tamba Ware: Hyogo's Six-Ancient-Kiln Stoneware
Japanese Crafts

Tamba Ware: Hyogo's Six-Ancient-Kiln Stoneware

3 min read
Satsuma Ware: Kagoshima's White and Black Ceramics
Japanese Crafts

Satsuma Ware: Kagoshima's White and Black Ceramics

3 min read
Ryukyu Glass: Okinawa's Bubbled Recycled Glass
Japanese Crafts

Ryukyu Glass: Okinawa's Bubbled Recycled Glass

3 min read
Hakata Ori: Fukuoka's Firm Silk Obi Weave
Japanese Crafts

Hakata Ori: Fukuoka's Firm Silk Obi Weave

3 min read
Ojiya Chijimi: Niigata's Crinkled Ramie Summer Cloth
Japanese Crafts

Ojiya Chijimi: Niigata's Crinkled Ramie Summer Cloth

3 min read
Kiso Lacquer: Nagano's Nakasendo Lacquerware
Japanese Crafts

Kiso Lacquer: Nagano's Nakasendo Lacquerware

3 min read
Tokyo Silver: The Edo Silversmith's Craft
Japanese Crafts

Tokyo Silver: The Edo Silversmith's Craft

3 min read
Sekishu Washi: Shimane's Thousand-Year Paper
Japanese Crafts

Sekishu Washi: Shimane's Thousand-Year Paper

3 min read
Inami Woodcarving: Toyama's Town of Carvers
Japanese Crafts

Inami Woodcarving: Toyama's Town of Carvers

3 min read