Japanese Traditional Crafts
In Japan, November has been designated by the government as ‘Traditional Crafts Month.’ In recognition of this, I would like to introduce the world of Japanese traditional crafts.
Across Japan, there are numerous handcrafted items that have been used in daily life and passed down through generations. As production volumes and the number of artisans continue to decline, the government ― specifically, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ― designates certain crafts that meet legally defined criteria as ‘traditional crafts.’ This designation aims to preserve and pass on traditional techniques and craftsmanship to future generations.
As of October 2025, a total of 244 items across Japan have been officially designated as ‘traditional crafts’. Once recognised, these products can carry the title and bear a special symbol mark, indicating that they are authentic and officially certified by the government.
The certification mark for Japanese traditional crafts designated by the government
In recent years, changes in lifestyle and declining demand have led to a nationwide decrease in the production value of Japanese traditional crafts. This has been accompanied by a continued drop in the number of people engaged in the industry. Ishikawa Prefecture ― where I lived for three years until March this year ― is one of Japan’s leading regions for traditional crafts. Ten of its artisanal products have received official designation, including Wajima-nuri, a renowned form of wooden lacquerware from Wajima City, and Kutani-yaki, a type of pottery manufactured in the southern part of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Wajima-nuri is one of Ishikawa Prefecture’s most renowned crafts. Creating one product of Wajima-nuri requires more than 100 individual steps, each carried out by specialised artisans. These include artisans who create the wooden base, who apply multiple layers of various types of lacquer, and who decorate intricate designs using techniques such as maki-e (gold or silver powder painting) and chinkin (engraved gold inlay). Some products take over a year to complete.
Through this meticulous process, Wajima-nuri is known for its exceptional strength and resistance to cracking. In addition to its durability, it also embodies elegance. Moreover, its solid foundation allows for repeated repairs, enabling long-term use. However, the Wajima-nuri production area suffered severe damage from two natural disasters: the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on 1 January 2023, and heavy rainfall on 21 September of the same year. After these disasters, many young artisans have begun considering leaving the region due to uncertainty about their future. As mentioned earlier, Wajima-nuri is created through many steps involving many specialised artisans, so even the absence of a single artisan can make it impossible to complete the process.
In response, Ishikawa Prefecture is working with both public and private sectors to establish training facilities aimed at nurturing the next generation of artisans who will support the future of the Wajima-nuri industry.
While this article has focused on Wajima-nuri, it represents just one example of Japan’s rich tradition of craftsmanship. In recent years, many production areas have begun offering workshops where visitors can experience the process of making Japanese traditional crafts.
These experiences provide a deeper understanding of Japanese culture by discovering the charms of Japanese traditional crafts and the skill and spirit of artisans behind each craft. If you have the opportunity to visit Japan, I encourage you to explore a region for its traditional craft production and take part in a traditional craft-making workshop. It’s a wonderful way to connect with Japan’s rich heritage of craftsmanship.
↓My hand-painted Kutani-yaki from a traditional craft workshop. The top two photos show the piece before firing, and the bottom two reveal how it looks after being kiln-fired.
The piece before firing
The piece after being kiln-fired
