Meet The Artisans

【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 silence to...

【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, we ...

【Boshu Uchiwa】Interview with Ms. Ishiyama

Our interview this time was with Yoshimi Ishiyama, who naturally smiles when she talks about bamboo. Her latest hobby is practicing an instrument called shou,...

【Edo hand-painted paper lantern】Interview with Mr. Murata

“The secret to writing something beautifully is to focus on its balance. Anyone can do it if they write slowly with an awareness of evenly spaced letters” Ken...

【Sanshu Gawara】Interview with Ryo Suzuki “Making the World Happy with Onigawara”

Onifuku Co., Ltd. has a workshop in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture. This area is known as one of the three major production regions of kawara (roof tiles). Th...

【Tokyo Umbrella】Interview with Mr. Maehara

Taito-Ku, Tokyo is an area where craftsmen of all kinds of Japanese crafts gather. There is the modern and sophisticated storefront of Maehara Kouei Shoten, w...

【Mino-ware】Interview with Masaharu Takagi, Marumo Takagi Pottery

Marumo Takagi Toki Co., Ltd. is located in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. In addition to pottery, the company also handles a variety of other products, ...

【Shigaraki-Ware】Interview with Takashi Ueda “This Job is Interesting and Profound.”

Shigaraki pottery shop called Soutouen is located in Shigraraki city in Shiga prefecture. They own one of the largest kilns in Japan and produce large number ...

【Nishijin Ori】Interviewed with Hironori Fukuoka “I have to try New Things to Preserve the Tradition of Nishijin Ori”

Fukuoka Weaving Co., Ltd. is expanding their business activity into various fields such as lake water purification and producing bags in addition to weaving. ...

【Bamboo Box】Interviewed with Yoshikazu Watanabe “He who does not work, neither shall he eat”

Kyo-Tsuzura (Bamboo Box) , a lacquered bamboo box made in Kyoto, has 25 detailed work processes. Mr. Yoshikazu Watanabe is the only craftsman in Japan who acc...