Echigo Jofu

Traditional Japanese paper handmade from plant fibers such as kozo, mitsumata, and gampi. Thin yet strong, with a distinctive texture and translucency. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014, it is utilized globally in calligraphy, printmaking, architecture, and art conservation.

A lacquerware craft tradition passed down for over 600 years in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is renowned for its durability achieved through the unique jinoko undercoat technique and its gorgeous ornamentation using chinkin and maki-e. It is considered one of the finest traditional crafts in Japan.

A luxury silk textile with over 1,200 years of history in Kyoto's Nishijin district. Characterized by elaborate patterns woven with gold and silver threads, it is renowned as the finest material for obi sashes and kimono. Its complex pre-dyed weaving techniques represent the zenith of Japanese textile art.

A traditional Japanese art of expressing characters artistically using brush and ink. Introduced from China, it evolved uniquely in Japan through kana calligraphy. Each stroke is said to embody the writer's spirit, and the irreversibility of each mark creates both tension and beauty. It is widely practiced and incorporated into school education.

Traditional wooden dolls originating from hot spring areas in the Tohoku region. Characterized by a cylindrical body and spherical head turned on a lathe, they are beloved for their simple yet warm expressions. Shapes and patterns differ by production area, and traditional kokeshi are classified into eleven lineages.

A cut glass craft originating in Tokyo at the end of the Edo period. Delicate cuts are made into colored overlay glass, creating beautiful brilliance through light refraction. Traditional Japanese patterns such as chrysanthemum chain, yurai lattice, and hemp leaf are employed. It is designated as a National Traditional Craft.