Japanese Craft, Materials & Makers
Japanese craft becomes clearer when materials, regional industries, makers and working ideas are studied together.
This hub connects our guides to ceramics, lacquer, metalwork, craft regions and concepts such as monozukuri and shokunin.
Start here
- Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship: Materials, Skills and Making Today
- Monozukuri: What “Making Things” Means in Japan
- Shokunin: What the Japanese Word for Craftsperson Really Means
- What Is Mingei?
Materials & processes
Craft regions & making cultures
- Takaoka: 400 Years of Metal Casting
- Seki: From Sword-Making City to Modern Blade Centre
- Why Is Sanjo Known for Knives and Metalworking?
- Japanese Knives of Sanjo & Niigata
More craft, materials & makers guides
- Japanese Home: Everyday Rooms, Objects and How They Actually Work
- Useful Japanese Housewarming Gifts for the Kitchen and Home
- Discover Igayaki: Where Tradition Meets Artistry
- Unlocking Tradition: The Art of Japanese Bottle Openers
- What Do We Mean by “Handmade”?
