The Traditional Crafts of Japan

Apr 25, 2022

The Traditional Crafts of Japan

One of the top ways to experience Japanese culture is through crafts. Many traditional crafts have persisted for centuries, and today some expert artisans are dedicated to the arts. The wide range of crafts means there’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy.

Shodo

Shodo is the art of calligraphy. Children learn this art in elementary school, but many people continue to practice it as a hobby into adulthood. It involves writing slowly and using the correct order of strokes, which can be particularly relaxing.

Ikebana

Western flower arrangement is an art in its own right, but the Japanese form of ikebana is much more complex. It’s important to pay attention to every element of the arrangement, including the leaves and stems of the flowers and the vase, to create the right shape. The result is simple but beautiful.

Edo Kiriko

One of the best-known crafts involving glasswork is Edo Kiriko. It involves carving patterns into colored glass. Interestingly, the engraving technique was introduced from Europe and later became a traditional Japanese craft.

Origami

Most people are familiar with origami, but they may be unaware of how complex the shapes can be. All use just a single piece of paper and no scissors or glue. Even beginners can achieve impressive results, but the art made by experts is breathtaking.

Bonsai

A living craft is bonsai. These are not just trees that are kept small, but rather the trees are trimmed and tied with wire to influence their form. They come in several classic styles, including upright, crooked, and windswept. It requires a large amount of effort to keep them looking attractive. If you’re interested in the craft but you’re unsure that you’re up to maintaining a tree yourself, the best place to go is one of the bonsai gardens, where you can see hundreds on display.

Nambu Tekki

Black cast iron with dots in the metal is called Nambu Tekki. The most common item is tetsubin — the kettle. It’s important for the Japanese tea ceremony and often becomes a family heirloom. Since it doesn’t impart any metallic flavor to the water, it improves the taste of tea.

Yosegi Zaiku

Another practical craft is yosegi zaiku — wooden mosaics. Each piece is made from various types of wood to create a unique pattern. The craft is often used to create letter and jewelry boxes, coasters, and photo frames. The most famous pieces, however, are the puzzle boxes. Each has a secret way to open it. Simple ones have only four potential solutions, whereas complex ones have more than 100 possibilities.

Furin

Japanese wind chimes are called furin. It’s easy to find them in souvenir shops since they’re virtually the symbol of summer. The idea is that just hearing the sound they make will help you feel cooler as it will notify you that the wind is gently blowing.

This is just a small selection of some of the most popular traditional crafts. Traveling around Japan, you’re sure to discover many more.

Jacek Halicki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons