[Craft Masters of Japan] The Sendai Tansu furniture was created around the end of Edo period (mid-19th century). Its fabrication process is based on 3 traditional techniques which were all inherited from the Edo period; ‘Sashimono (furnishing)’, ‘Urushi lacquer’, and ‘metal fitting’. Nowadays, the tradition is well harmonized with a...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] Totsugawa in Nara Prefecture is the largest village in Japan. Jolan settled in this village from France after he fell in love with its serenity and beauty. Using his expertise in European forestry, he works to revitalise the Japanese forests as well as the local...

[Craft Masters of Japan] Taro Yamamoto is a professor at the Akita University of Art, but also a young painter who uses traditional Japanese techniques to create paintings with a ‘modern’ and humorous twist to them. This new art style is called  ‘Nippon-ga’, and has currently been attracting a lot...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The "Onyudo", the largest mechanical doll in Japan, is the symbol of Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture. Every year at the Yokkaichi Festival in August, the Onyudo entertains many people with its humorous and silly movements. Placed on a large float, its gigantic body sways...