Kataoka Shoten: A 127-year journey from wicker baskets to drones
”What are you doing now?” an exasperated Susumu Kataoka calls up at his 75-year-old father, perched precariously on a ladder.
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Features
Koyudo, brighter than the sun
In a town which has a history of brushmaking that goes back over 150 years, Kyoyudo is a relative newcomer. Its founder, Fujimori Uematsu made his ambitions clear in choosing the Chinese characters for the name of the company he set up in 1978, which mean “brighter than the sun”.
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Sitting down with master brush maker Yusui Teragauchi
Master brush maker Yasui Teragauchi has been working at Kumano’s Koyudo for almost 40 years. We talked to him about the changes he has seen.
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Kumano, the undisputed brush capital of Japan
Every year on the Autumn Equinox, the town of Kumano, in the hills east of Hiroshima, gives thanks to the product upon which its prosperity was built. Kumano is the undisputed fude (brush) capital of Japan.
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Rekiseisha: A shining example of entrepreneurial spirit
From its samurai beginnings to the modern day, the story of Rekiseisha – producer of gilded hand-laid gold and metal
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Naoya Takayama and the everyday luxury of Japanese lacquer
Naoya Takayama, 4th generation head of a company that has been selling Buddhist altars for over 100 years, has been
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Tondo Matsuri
Huge bonfires snap, crackle and pop around Hiroshima in the middle of January, sending the hope and dreams embodied in the past year’s votive goods and new year decorations up to the heavens.
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All You Need to Know About Miyajima at New Year 2024
A few tidbits of info that we hope will make your New Year jaunt to Miyajima a memorable one.
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Demystifying the living art of bonsai
The Chakuno family have been tending gardens and bonsai for 400 years. Once reserved for the samurai, they are bringing bonsai back down to earth.
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The kendama dreams of Kazuma Iwata
When Kazuma Iwata decided to apply the skills of a craftsman to the kendama, he transformed the traditional wooden toy that helped it turn from plaything to lifestyle sport.
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