Meet The Artisans

【Kyo-Sashimono】Interview with Mr. Shimizu

The Hakoshichi Workshop is located in the mountains north of Kyoto Prefecture. Mr. Takashi Shimizu, a Kyoto cabinetmaker, has been selected as one of the...

【Kyo-Kuromontsuki-Zome】Interview with Toru Arakawa

Kyoto Montsuki Co., Ltd. is a company with a mission to “take on the challenge of producing the world’s best black”. It is a company...

【Kyo-Dolls】Interview with Koji Hashimoto

Hashimoto Doll Store is a doll-making company that has been in business since 1751. The store is located a little off the main street in...

【Kyoto bamboo】Interview with Mr. Mashimo

Oyamazaki, Kyoto Prefecture. There is a company called Nagaoka Meichiku Co., Ltd in Oyamazaki, Kyoto which has overcome various difficulties. With the use of traditional...

【Swordsmith】Interview with Masahira Fujiyasu

Masahira Fujiyasu, a swordsmith who has Masahira Forge in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture and makes Japanese swords. Mr. Munehiro Shibata, a bow store owner in...

【Kyoto tatami】Interview with Yoshihisa Fujii

Fujii tatami founded in 1868 has come a long way over the years. Today, the company has extended their product lineup such as cosmetic pouches,...

【Kyoto bow】Interview with Munehiro Shibata

Naughty childhood The Shibata Kanjuro Bow Shop, which has been in business since the Warring States Period (1467-1615), still has a bow store in Kiyomizu...

【Kyo-Yuzen】Interview with Akihiro Uenaka

Huduru Kogei is a workshop in Kadonooji Hachijo, Kyoto Prefecture, that processes gold leaf used in Kyoto Yuzen. The name “Huduru” is written with the...

【Sanada-Himo】Interview with Isao Wada

Sanada-himo is a flat cord woven with warp and weft yarns using a loom. It is said to be the world’s narrowest weave, measuring only...

【Kyo-Hyogu】Interview with Mitsunori Onozawa

Kyo-Hyogu Onozawa Studio is located in Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto City. There is the workshop in a residential area, and the workshop has no TV and radio....

【Iga-Kumihimo Craftsman】 Interview with Mr. Hirai

Kumihimo Hirai has been making Kumihimo for 65 years in Iga city, Mie Prefecture. When I stepped into their workshop, I saw craftspeople working in...

【Nara sumi】Interview with Mr. Nagano

for generations, and it is a long-established business with a history of more than 100 years. Upon entering the workshop through the black “Sumi” curtain,...