Kaga Culture

A festival held in June in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, celebrating the splendor of the Kaga Hyakumangoku (One Million Koku) domain. Honoring the Maeda clan's history and culture, ornate processions parade through the city. Cultural events including tea ceremony, Noh theater, and brush festivals are held concurrently, embodying Kanazawa's traditional culture and Kaga aesthetic principles.

A school of Yuzen dyeing developed in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Compared to Kyo-Yuzen, it features more realistic botanical motifs and subdued colors known as the 'Kaga five colors.' With unique techniques such as insect-bite motifs and tip-shading, it is a signature Kanazawa craft embodying the refinement of samurai culture.

Hand-painted textile dyeing centered in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Developed from Kyoto's yuzen technique during the Edo period, featuring distinctive Kaga color sensibilities and elaborate floral designs. Maintains yuzen traditions while preserving regionally unique techniques. Designated as a National Traditional Craft.

Gold and silver leaf produced in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Using traditional beating techniques from the Edo period, sheets are hammered to micron-thin thickness. Applied to crafts, architectural decoration, tea products, and more, accounting for over 99% of Japan's gold leaf production.

A traditional craft in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, accounting for over 99% of Japan's gold leaf production. The craftsmanship of beating gold to 1/10,000mm thickness is unparalleled worldwide. Applied to Buddhist altars, folding screens, and architectural decoration, and recently to cosmetics and food, it radiates the golden glow that symbolizes Kanazawa.

Collective term for traditional manual craft techniques supporting Japanese culture, encompassing ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, metalwork, and bamboo crafts. Emphasizes skill transmission through master-apprentice relationships. Protected as 'traditional crafts' in various regions, continuing to be carefully produced by artisans.

A traditional craft of gold and silver leaf manufactured in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. The ultra-thin metal foil is beaten to uniform thickness, commanding over 99% of Japan's market share. Used across architecture, crafts, cosmetics and more, its high quality from Edo-period techniques is recognized both domestically and internationally.