List of Traditional Crafts of Japan

As set out in Article 1 of the 1974 Act, the purpose of Traditional Craft industries and their promotion is to enrich the lives of the citizens and, due to their particular geographic nature, contribute to the development of local economies and, thereby, that of the nation as a whole.^[3][4]: 10 This economic angle helps distinguish the designation of Traditional Crafts under the 1974 Act from that of traditional crafts as Intangible Cultural Properties under the 1950 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.^[4]: 10 Financial assistance is available under both frameworks; that for Traditional Crafts focuses on five activities, namely, the training of successors, the recording of technologies and techniques, the securing of raw materials, the evolution of creative concepts and designs, and the development of demand.^[4]: 10

In FY2016, 62,690 individuals were employed in the Traditional Crafts industry, down from 288,000 in 1979, with production valued at ¥96 billion, down from ¥540 billion in 1983.^[5] Analysis by the Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association [Wikidata] locates these trends within the broader context of the changes in lifestyles and employment attendant upon the nation's post-war economic growth, identifying seven principal explanatory strands: displacement by highly industrialized, mass-produced—and, as a consequence, cheaper—mass market goods; the decline of rural areas and the primary industries, such as agriculture and forestry, that provide many of the materials; construction that has posed obstacles to the sourcing of materials; changes in the education system and the employment environment that discourage the necessary apprenticeships from a young age and a life of modest, manual labour; changes in lifestyle amongst consumers, with increasing urbanization and westernization; changes in attitude towards everyday items, with a move towards disposable items chosen on the basis of fashion, novelty, and price; and changes in the family system, with the nuclear family and single households militating against transmission across generations.^[5] At the same time, there are a number of possible sources of hope: the increased demand for high-quality products typically concomitant with prosperity; interest in unique, regional cultures; new appreciation of "wa" and "monozukuri", including the burgeoning of demand in the West; and a growing awareness of the benefits of a circular economy.^[5]

To be eligible for designation, as specified in Article 2 of the 1974 Act, the craft must be:^[3][6]

• primarily for use in everyday life
• predominantly manual in its production processes
• manufactured using traditional technologies and techniques
• chiefly created using traditionally-prepared and -employed materials
• from a particular area, where a not-negligible number of persons are involved in its production

For these purposes, "traditional" means a history and continuity of at least one hundred years;^[1][4]: 11 a "not-negligible number of persons" implies at least ten enterprises or thirty individuals, so as to ensure a scale of operations sufficient to uphold reliability;^[1] if the relevant raw materials have been exhausted or are now extremely difficult to source, a substitute is permissible so long as the flavour of the original is not lost;^[1] "technologies and techniques" refer to the skills and practices of the individual craftsman as well as the know-how accumulated within the industry, with refinements permitted so long as the craftworks' key characteristics remain fundamentally unchanged;^[1] "predominantly manual" requires the craftwork's form, features, and quality to be the product of the hand, although usage of machinery is permitted for auxiliary processes;^[1] and "use in everyday life" may include occasional and one-off events such as festivals, weddings, and funerals, if closely connected to ordinary households.^[1]

With the designation of crafts in Chiba Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture in 2003, and of two craft traditions pertaining to the Ainu of Hokkaidō in 2013, at least one craft has been designated in each of the 47 prefectures.^[7][8] As of 26 October 2023, Tokyo has the highest number of designated crafts (22), followed by Kyōto Prefecture (17), Niigata Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture (16), Aichi Prefecture (15), and Ishikawa Prefecture (10), Aomori Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture having but one apiece.^[8] The 241 designated crafts are divided into fifteen categories: woven textiles (38), dyed textiles (14), other textiles (5), ceramics (32), lacquerware (23), wood and bamboo (33), metalwork (16), Butsudan and Buddhist ritual implements (17), washi (9), writing tools (10), stonework (4), precious stonework (2), dolls and kokeshi (10), other (25), and craft materials & tools (3).^[9]

More information Craft, Prefecture ...

Craft	Prefecture	Comments	Image	Designation	Type	Ref.
Nambu Ironware 南部鉄器 Nanbu-tekki	Iwate			1975	metalwork
Yamagata-imono 山形鋳物 Yamagata-imono	Yamagata			1975	metalwork
Honba Ōshima-tsumugi 本場大島紬 Honba Ōshima-tsumugi	Miyazaki, Kagoshima			1975	woven textiles
Kumejima-tsumugi 久米島紬 Kumejima-tsumugi	Okinawa			1975	woven textiles
Miyako-jōfu 宮古上布 Miyako-jōfu	Okinawa			1975	woven textiles
Tsugaru Lacquerware 津軽塗 Tsugaru-nuri	Aomori			1975	lacquerware
Aizu Lacquerware 会津塗 Aizu-nuri	Fukushima			1975	lacquerware
Isesaki-kasuri 伊勢崎絣 Isesaki-kasuri	Gunma			1975	woven textiles
Kutani Ware 小石原焼 Kutani-yaki	Ishikawa			1975	ceramics
Takayama Chasen 高山茶筌 Takayama chasen	Nara			1975	wood/bamboo
Inshū Washi 因州和紙 Inshū-washi	Tottori			1975	washi
Kumano Brushes 熊野筆 Kumano-fude	Hiroshima			1975	writing tools
Koishiwara Ware 小石原焼 Koishiwara-yaki	Fukuoka			1975	ceramics
Kawanabe Butsudan 川辺仏壇 Kawanabe butsudan	Kagoshima			1975	Butsudan/Buddhist ritual implements
Shigaraki Ware 信楽焼 Shigaraki-yaki	Shiga			1975	ceramics
Yumihama-gasuri 弓浜絣 Yumihama-gasuri	Tottori			1975	woven textiles
Kabazaiku 樺細工 Kabazaiku	Akita			1976	wood/bamboo
Oitama-tsumugi 置賜紬 Oitama-tsumugi	Yamagata			1976	woven textiles
Kagawa Lacquerware 香川漆器 Kagawa-shikki	Kagawa			1976	lacquerware
Hakata Dolls 博多人形 Hakata-ningyō	Fukuoka			1976	dolls/kokeshi
Echizen Washi 越前和紙 Echizen-washi	Fukui			1976	washi
Uchiyama-gami 内山紙 Uchiyama-gami	Nagano			1976	washi
Tokoname Ware 常滑焼 Tokoname-yaki	Aichi			1976	ceramics
Banshū Soroban 播州そろばん Banshū-soroban	Hyōgo			1976	writing tools
Izumo Stone Lanterns 出雲石燈ろう Izumo ishi-dōrō	Tottori, Shimane			1976	stonework
Hakata-ori 博多織 Hakata-ori	Fukuoka			1976	woven textiles
Kurume-gasuri 久留米絣 Kurume-gasuri	Fukuoka			1976	woven textiles
Yomitanzan Hana-ori 読谷山花織 Yomitanzan hanaori	Okinawa			1976	woven textiles
Yuntanza-minsaa 読谷山ミンサー Yuntanza-minsã	Okinawa			1976	woven textiles
Tsuboya Ware 壺屋焼 Tsuboya-yaki	Okinawa			1976	ceramics
Kawatsura Lacquerware 川連漆器 Kawatsura-shikki	Akita			1976	lacquerware
Iga-kumihimo 伊賀くみひも Iga-kumihimo	Mie			1976	other textiles
Kyō-kumihimo 京くみひも Kyō-kumihimo	Kyōto			1976	other textiles
Akama Inkstones 赤間硯 Akama-suzuri	Yamaguchi			1976	writing tools
Awa Washi 阿波和紙 Awa-washi	Tokushima			1976	washi
Tobe Ware 砥部焼 Tobe-yaki	Ehime			1976	ceramics
Tosa Washi 土佐和紙 Tosa-washi	Kōchi	vid. Ino Paper Museum		1976	washi
Yūki-tsumugi 結城紬 Yūki-tsumugi	Ibaraki, Tochigi			1977	woven textiles
Akazu Ware 赤津焼 Akazu-yaki	Aichi			1977	ceramics
Kyō Ware・Kiyomizu Ware 京焼・清水焼 Kyō-yaki・Kiyomizu-yaki	Kyōto			1977	ceramics
Yame Fukushima Butsudan 八女福島仏壇 Yame Fukushima butsudan	Fukuoka			1977	Butsudan/Buddhist ritual implements
Kanazawa Gold Leaf 金沢箔 Kanazawa-haku	Ishikawa	vid. Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum		1977	materials & tools
Kiryū-ori 桐生織 Kiryū-ori	Gunma			1977	woven textiles
Nara Brushes 奈良筆 Nara-fude	Nara			1977	writing tools
Ōzu Washi 大洲和紙 Ōzu-washi	Ehime			1977	washi
Imari Ware・Arita Ware 伊万里・有田焼 Imari・Arita-yaki	Saga			1977	ceramics
Ōborisōma Ware 大堀相馬焼 Ōborisōma-yaki	Fukushima			1978	ceramics
Edo Kimekomi Dolls 江戸木目込人形 Edo Kimekomi-ningyō	Saitama, Tokyo			1978	dolls/kokeshi
Tamba-Tachikui Ware 丹波立杭焼 Mikawachi-yaki	Hyōgo			1978	ceramics
Hiroshima Butsudan 広島仏壇 Hiroshima butsudan	Hiroshima			1978	Butsudan/Buddhist ritual implements
Mikawachi Ware 三川内焼 Mikawachi-yaki	Nagasaki			1978	ceramics
Hasami Ware 波佐見焼 Hasami-yaki	Nagasaki			1978	ceramics
Shōgawa Woodcraft 庄川挽物木地 Shōgawa hikimono kiji	Toyama			1978	materials & tools
Mino Ware 美濃焼 Mino-yaki	Gifu			1978	ceramics
Awa shōai shijira-ori 阿波正藍しじら織 Awa shōai shijira-ori	Tokushima			1978	woven textiles
Kamakura-bori 鎌倉彫 Kamakura-bori	Kanagawa			1979	lacquerware
Yokkaichi Banko Ware 四日市萬古焼 Yokkaichi banko-yaki	Mie			1979	ceramics
Mashiko Ware 益子焼 Mashiko-yaki	Tochigi			1979	ceramics
Kasukabe Paulownia Chests 春日部桐箪笥 Kasukabe kiri-tansu	Saitama			1979	wood/bamboo
Katsuyama Bamboo Crafts 勝山竹細工 Katsuyama take-zaiku	Okayama			1979	wood/bamboo
Beppu Bamboo Crafts 別府竹細工 Beppu take-zaiku	Ōita			1979	wood/bamboo
Yamagata Butsudan 山形仏壇 Yamagata butsudan	Yamagata			1980	Butsudan/Buddhist ritual implements
Izushi Ware 出石焼 Izushi-yaki	Hyōgo			1980	ceramics
Ōdate-magewappa 大館曲げわっぱ Ōdate-magewappa	Akita			1980	wood/bamboo
Suzuka Ink 鈴鹿墨 Suzuka-sumi	Mie			1980	writing tools
Miyagi Traditional Kokeshi 宮城伝統こけし Miyagi dentō kokeshi	Miyagi			1981	dolls/kokeshi
Iwayadō-tansu 岩谷堂箪笥 Iwayadō-tansu	Iwate			1982	wood/bamboo
Iga Ware 伊賀焼 Iga-yaki	Mie			1982	ceramics
Bizen Ware 備前焼 Bizen-yaki	Okayama			1982	ceramics
Miyajima Woodwork 宮島細工 Miyajima-zaiku	Hiroshima			1982	wood/bamboo
Ryūkyū Kasuri 琉球絣 Ryūkyū-kasuri	Okinawa			1983	woven textiles
Shuri-ori 首里織 Shuri-ori	Okinawa			1983	woven textiles
Agano Ware 上野焼 Agano-yaki	Fukuoka			1983	ceramics
Ise-katagami 伊勢形紙 Ise-katagami	Mie			1983	materials & tools
Ryūkyū Bingata 琉球びんがた Ryūkyū-bingata	Okinawa			1984	woven textiles
Akita Cedar Tubs and Barrels 秋田杉桶樽 Akita sugi oke taru	Akita			1984	wood/bamboo
Odawara Lacquerware 小田原漆器 Odawara-shikki	Kanagawa			1984	lacquerware
Hakone Yosegi-zaiku 箱根寄木細工 Hakone yosegi-zaiku	Kanagawa			1984	wood/bamboo
Hidehira Lacquerware 秀衡塗 Hidehira-nuri	Iwate			1985	lacquerware
Jōbōji Lacquerware 浄法寺塗 Jōbōji-nuri	Iwate			1985	lacquerware
Mino Washi 美濃和紙 Mino-washi	Gifu			1985	washi
Ogatsu Inkstones 雄勝硯 Ogatsu-suzuri	Miyagi			1985	writing tools
Unshū Soroban 雲州そろばん Unshū-soroban	Shimane			1985	writing tools
Fukuyama Koto 福山琴 Fukuyama koto	Hiroshima			1985	other
Ryūkyū Lacquerware 琉球漆器 Ryūkyū-shikki	Okinawa			1986	lacquerware
Echizen ware 越前焼 Echizen-yaki	Fukui			1986	ceramics
Yonaguni-ori 与那国織 Yonaguni-ori	Okinawa			1987	woven textiles
Kijōka-bashōfu 喜如嘉の芭蕉布 Kijōka no bashōfu	Okinawa			1988	woven textiles
Etchū Washi 越中和紙 Etchū-washi	Toyama			1988	washi
Karatsu Ware 唐津焼 Karatsu-yaki	Saga			1988	ceramics
Yaeyama-minsaa 八重山ミンサー Yaeyama-minsã	Okinawa			1989	woven textiles
Yaeyama-jōfu 八重山上布 Yaeyama-jōfu	Okinawa			1989	woven textiles
Sekishū Washi 石州和紙 Sekishū-washi	Shimane			1989	washi
Ōuchi Lacquerware 大内塗 Ōuchi-nuri	Yamaguchi			1989	lacquerware
Naruko Lacquerware 鳴子漆器 Naruko-shikki	Miyagi			1991	lacquerware
Kasama Ware 笠間焼 Kasama-yaki	Ibaraki			1992	ceramics
Aizuhongō Ware 会津本郷焼 Aizuhongō-yaki	Fukushima			1993	ceramics
Iwami Ware 石見焼 Iwami-yaki	Shimane			1994	ceramics
Miyakonojō Bows 都城大弓 Miyakonojō-daikyū	Miyazaki			1994	wood/bamboo
Makabe Stone Lanterns 真壁石燈籠 Makabe ishi-doro	Ibaraki			1995	stonework
Tendō Shōgi-koma 天童将棋駒 Tendō shōgi-koma	Yamagata			1996	other
Seto-sometsuke Ware 瀬戸染付焼 Seto-sometsuke-yaki	Aichi			1997	ceramics
Kyō-hyōgu 京表具 Kyō-hyōgu	Kyōto	mountings for byōbu, fusuma, makimono, &c.		1997	other
Marugame Uchiwa Fans 丸亀うちわ Marugame-uchiwa	Kagawa			1997	other
Tosa Forged Blades 土佐打刃物 Tosa-uchihamono	Kōchi			1998	metalwork
Yame Lanterns 八女提灯 Yame-chōchin	Fukuoka			2001	other
Hagi Ware 萩焼 Hagi-yaki	Yamaguchi			2002	ceramics
Satsuma Ware 薩摩焼 Satsuma-yaki	Kagoshima			2002	ceramics
Bōshū Uchiwa Fans 房州うちわ Boshu-uchiwa	Chiba			2003	other
Shōdai Ware 小代焼 Shōdai-yaki	Kumamoto			2003	ceramics
Amakusa Pottery 天草陶磁器 Amakusa-tōjiki	Kumamoto			2003	ceramics
Higo Inlay 肥後象がん Higo-zōgan	Kumamoto			2003	metalwork
Ōtani Ware 大谷焼 Ōtani-yaki	Tokushima			2003	ceramics
Okuaizu Basketry 奥会津編み組細工 Okuaizu amikumi-zaiku	Fukushima			2003	wood/bamboo
Kawajiri Brushes 川尻筆 Kawajiri-fude	Hiroshima			2004	writing tools
Uetsu-shinafu 羽越しな布 Uetsu-shinafu	Yamagata, Niigata			2005	woven textiles
Iwatsuki Dolls 岩槻人形 Iwatsuki-ningyō	Saitama	vid. Iwatsuki Ningyō Museum [ja]		2007	dolls/kokeshi
Chibana Hana-ori 知花花織 Chibana hanaori	Okinawa			2012	woven textiles
Nibutani-ita 二風谷イタ Nibutani-ita	Hokkaidō	carved wooden trays		2013	wood/bamboo
Nibutani-attushi 二風谷アットゥㇱ Nibutani-attushi	Hokkaidō			2013	woven textiles
Chichibu-meisen 秩父銘仙 Chichibu-meisen	Saitama			2013	woven textiles
Yamaga Lanterns 山鹿灯籠 Yamaga-tōrō	Kumamoto	vid. Yamaga Lantern Festival [ja], Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum [Wikidata]		2013	other
Sendai-tansu 仙台箪笥 Sendai-tansu	Miyagi			2017	wood/bamboo
Nagasaki Tortoiseshell Crafts 長崎べっ甲 Nagasaki-bekkō	Nagasaki			2017	other
Haebaru Hana-ori 南風原花織 Haebaru hanaori	Okinawa			2017	woven textiles
Okuaizu Shōwa Karamushi-ori 奥会津昭和からむし織 Okuaizu Shōwa karamushi-ori	Fukushima			2017	woven textiles
Chiba Artisan Tools 千葉工匠具 Chiba kōshō-gu	Chiba			2017	metalwork
Etchū Fukuoka Sedge Hats 越中福岡の菅笠 Etchū Fukuoka no suge-gasa	Toyama			2017	other
Sanshū Onigawara Crafts 三州鬼瓦工芸品 Sanshū onigawara kōgeihin	Aichi			2017	ceramics
Nara Ink 奈良墨 Nara-sumi	Nara			2018	writing tools
Sanshin 三線 Sanshin	Okinawa			2018	other
Gyōda Tabi 行田足袋 Gyōda-tabi	Saitama			2019	other textiles
Tokyo Shamisen 東京三味線 Tōkyō shamisen	Tokyo			2022	other
Tokyo Koto 東京琴 Tōkyō koto	Tokyo			2022	other
Edo-hyōgu 江戸表具 Edo-hyōgu	Tokyo	mountings for hanging scrolls		2022	other
Tokyo Honzome Chūsen 東京本染注染 Tōkyō honzome chūsen	Tokyo			2023	dyed textiles

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