[Craft Masters of Japan] Hikone Butsudan, or Buddhist altar, is traditional craftwork from the castle town of Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Its origins can be dated back to the Edo Period. There are seven steps in the creation process of the altars, which are conducted by the ‘Seven Masters’. Each...

[Colors in Japan] Tochigi City has a long history of producing wooden barrels for fermenting food. Despite the rise of plastic containers, one dedicated craftsman continues to make barrels using traditional techniques. The barrels are crafted from cedar heartwood and tied with local timber bamboo. Click here to preview this...

[Craft Masters of Japan] In the city of Nanto, Toyama Prefecture,  textile production has been an essential part of its history since the Sengoku Period, around the 16th century. Within this city, there is a factory called Matsui Weaving Industry, which specializes in the production of Shikekinu Silk. Shikekinu Silk...