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VILLAGE Report #VILLAGE Report

A bingata pattern

[VILLAGE Report vol.9] 16 Nationally Designated Items, 4th in Japan | Okinawa Prefecture

Of Japan’s 244 items, Okinawa has 16. That places it 4th nationwide by number of items. Why have so many techniques survived on islands so far away?

[VILLAGE Report vol.9] 16 Nationally Designated Items, 4th in Japan | Okinawa Prefecture

Of Japan’s 244 items, Okinawa has 16. That places it 4th nationwide by number of items. Why have so many techniques survived on islands so far away?

A museum of Aizu lacquerware

[VILLAGE Report vol.41] The last of the three great lacquerwares | Fukushima Prefecture

Aizu lacquerware is one of Japan’s three great lacquerwares, alongside Yamanaka and Kishu. Obori Soma ware continues its kilns even after evacuation.

[VILLAGE Report vol.41] The last of the three great lacquerwares | Fukushima Prefecture

Aizu lacquerware is one of Japan’s three great lacquerwares, alongside Yamanaka and Kishu. Obori Soma ware continues its kilns even after evacuation.

A Kiryu textile factory from the Meiji period

[VILLAGE Report vol.40] Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east | Gunma Prefecture

Kiryu is a textile town once compared as “Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east.” Seven techniques are collectively designated as one craft.

[VILLAGE Report vol.40] Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east | Gunma Prefecture

Kiryu is a textile town once compared as “Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east.” Seven techniques are collectively designated as one craft.

A bowl by Shoji Hamada

[VILLAGE Report vol.39] The production area of the word “mingei” | Tochigi Prefecture

Mashiko ware became known nationwide through the Mingei movement led by Shoji Hamada and others. Together with Yuki-tsumugi silk, Tochigi Prefecture has 2 nationally designated items. Tenmyo cast metalwork and Nikko carving are prefectural traditional crafts.

[VILLAGE Report vol.39] The production area of the word “mingei” | Tochigi Prefecture

Mashiko ware became known nationwide through the Mingei movement led by Shoji Hamada and others. Together with Yuki-tsumugi silk, Tochigi Prefecture has 2 nationally designated items. Tenmyo cast metalwork and Nikko carving are prefectural traditional crafts.

A Kasama ware cup

[VILLAGE Report vol.38] Tsumugi Listed by UNESCO | Ibaraki Prefecture

Yuki-tsumugi was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Hand-spun thread, hand-tied kasuri, and the izari loom. Together with Kasama ware and Makabe stone lanterns, Ibaraki has 3 items.

[VILLAGE Report vol.38] Tsumugi Listed by UNESCO | Ibaraki Prefecture

Yuki-tsumugi was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Hand-spun thread, hand-tied kasuri, and the izari loom. Together with Kasama ware and Makabe stone lanterns, Ibaraki has 3 items.

A black Satsuma earthenware teapot

[VILLAGE Report vol.8] White and Black, Two Types of Pottery | Kagoshima Prefecture

Satsuma ware comes in white and black. White is delicately painted for feudal lords; black is everyday ware for ordinary people. The same land, the same techniques, different destinations.

[VILLAGE Report vol.8] White and Black, Two Types of Pottery | Kagoshima Prefecture

Satsuma ware comes in white and black. White is delicately painted for feudal lords; black is everyday ware for ordinary people. The same land, the same techniques, different destinations.