Mr. Kazuo Kawanishi___ISEHAN HONTEN

"BENI" is the natural red pigment that can be obtained from BENI BANA (safflower), but only in such a small amount. Since ancient times, "BENI" painted within sake cups or small plates has habitually been used as rouge in Japan. "KOMACHI BENI" is the traditional Japanese rouge with such treasured "BENI". ISEHAN HONTEN is the only sales company that continues to make this 100% natural BENI flower rouge "KOMACHI BENI" today with an unchanged manufacturing method since the Edo era. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Hiroshi Akatsuka___Akatsuka Tortoiseshells Factory Co. Inc.
	Tortoiseshell products are known as jewelry of the ocean has warmth and beauty. Tortoiseshell products are repairable, so it is an industrial art with merit that it could be used for long time. It also is known as high class material for glasses frames. Mr. Akatsuka mainly manufactures glasses frames, but he also manufactures accessories of all kinds. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Toshio Nishimura___Seiga Factory
	Engraves Chinese characters on Buddhist altar fittings(mainly Buddhist mortuary tablet). Mr. Nishimura has been on this field of art since he was 14years of age, and he prides himself of his 32years of experience. There are only 2-3 people who inherits the traditional hand engraving techniques in Tokyo. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Shigeichiro Oouchi___
	From printing brush to body brush and brush for pets, Mr. Oouchi produces many new products with the change in present society. His sence to see current of the times and the taste of the consumers is clear. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Yoshikazu Tanabe___Tanabe Glass Processing Factory
	Edo Cut Glass of today was started in 1834(5th year of Tenpo) by Kyuubei Kagaya who was the owner of glass shop in Oodenma-cho, Edo. He invented the techiniques of engraving the surface of glass by using emery. Mr. Tanabe's factory respects the traditions, but at the same time to answer the needs of customers, arranges the products in modern design. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr.Yutaka Shinohara___

For Japan's summer, which is sultry, wind bells under the roof were something necessary. The actual temperature doesn't lower even if the bells are hung, but the Japanese felt a coolness in the sound of the bells swaying in the wind. He still has trouble producing delicate and cool sounds. Other than the traditional round shapes, there are strange shaped ones also. The picture designs are cute,too. It is a seasonal senary that came up from the playfulness of Japanese people. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Yasuhide Nakajima___Nakajima Edo Lacquer Art
	Mr. Nakajima succeeds the special techniques of Japanese Lacquer which was invented by his grandfather(9th generation) and his father(10th generation). Beautiful dishes are finished by original technique which is rooted in Japanese tradition. It piles up, sticks, and harden the hemp cloth and Japanese paper. Around that, platinum and gold are rolled for modern coloring. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Kinzaburou Machida___Machida Paulownia Drawers Factory
	Tokyo Kiri Tansu(paulownia wardrobe) is produced with domesticAIZU-paulownia wood. Paulownia drawers are usually considered as a storage for KIMONO(Traditional Japanese cloths), but the works of Mr. Machida include drawers which are useful for normal cloths. Not only the structure, but also the design and the colour is deviced to fit the modern living space in various ways. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Katsumi & Eiichi Kawamata___Okeei
	Japanese cypress of age 200 to 300 years old in Kiso are suitable for making traditional Japanese washtub. No paintings on the surface for finishing, only plane. That way, beauty of the wood and excellence of the grain rise up to the surface. New washtubs are great, but the ones used for long time also have great taste. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Isamu Sase (Kanemo)___

Glass pen was first made in Japan on 35th year of Meiji era, and by 1940's, they were exported to Europe and South East Asia. They were popular and often used in government's offices and buildings, but the demand for glass pen decreased when ball point pen popularized. Although glass pen is not popular, its beautiful shape and smoothness still attracts people. Glass pen is used for illustrations, designing Kimono, etc. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Yasunobu Miura___Shousaburo Inc.

In early Meiji-Era, large quantity of thick woolen cloth was imported from Europe and America. At the same time, scissors to cut this thick woolen cloth were also imported. This scissors were improved by tempering techniques of Japanese swords, and became the scissors of today. Recently in a household, there are tendency of not using old huge cutting scissors, but instead, small weight, and light weight scissors are used. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Shunji Onda___Ohshimaya Store Onda Ltd.

Paper lantern was introduced from China in Muromachi era. Folding type appeared in Azuchi Momoyama era, and in Edo era, improvement was added for use in every methods. Paper lantern used to be a lighting tool to light the dark night with soft light of candle through Japanese paper. Now it is a tool for self appeal, and special orders for souvenir and gift are frequent. Accepting the order of only one original handmade paper lantern. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Shinji Haneda___Kiryuudou Inc.
	In Nara-Era, kumihimo was used in Buddhist altar fittings, and later was used in armors and headpiece. From Meiji-Era, they were also used in Obi-jime(cords to tie Obi), and Haori(short Japanese overgarments). Kumihimo passes the heart of "Wabi" and "Sabi" to the lives of Japanese. They are used as accessories, cords for roop-ties, and watch bands nowadays. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Naoyuki & Jusaku Fujii___Fujii Fukuromono Factory

Making Edo Fukuromono became popular since middle Edo period, on the other hand, its origin is said to go back to much older time. Of course the importance of Fukuromono, or a bag is considered if it's easy to use or if it's functional enough, so its form has been changed with the times. He uses the most of traditional skills to make Fukuromono, yet nowdays, he works with modern goods, such as a case for cellular phone. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Yukio Kikuchi___Shogiku

Ichimatsu doll was named after Sanogawa Ichimatsu who was Shibai actor in Edo. The dolls' lifelike faces and expressions are created by painting the Gofun(powder made by burning the shells and crushing them) over and over again on the material called Touso (Made by gathering the powder of Kiri or Paulownia and hardening it). Eyeballs are made of glass, human hair and silk threads are used for dolls' hair, clothes are made of old Chirimen(Silk cloth with wrinkles). You can change the costumes of the dolls. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Kazuo Hirose___Hirose Ginki Factory

In modern times, it's nothing but precious moment when we touch the graceful beauty and think of ancient Japanese beauty. The spirit of graceful Heian period treasure, which works are housed in Shosoin(Treasure Repository in Nara), has been handed down to today's superbly made gold and silver fine works. Not to mention Kodogu(tools used in traditional incense burning) and Netsuke(a kind of pendent fastened to a purse as a good luck charm), he makes the most of the eminent skill in accessories today. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Noboru & Tamotsu Hoshino___DouGin Copper Ware Store
	Ever since Edo-Era, copper wares are familiar in a kitchen. There are variety of arranges added to suite the lifestyles of each era, and there are variety of kitchen utensils in copper ware. Copper is great in heat conductivity, also has sterilization effect, and solidity. Copper wares also lasts and could be used for long time. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Moriaki Terasawa___Yayoi Somegei Ltd.
	With "Tegakimoyozome", a pattern or design on Kimono can be made just fit to your height or your figure. That's why a design artist, Mr. Terasawa's work is something like "haute couture". He has a wide range of customers, including Imperial Family members, Kabuki actors, TV personalities, Enka singers and highly-educated persons. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Teruo Komuro___Komuro Crest Embroidering Store

The oldest embroidery work existing is the one made in Shoutoku-Taishi's era. Ever since, the skills of embroidery was handed down, and this skills could be seen throughout his works. Embroidered crests made by his skills express the pride of people's spirits on their history, and they are great heirloom to hand down to descendants. His works are superb article that fulfills the sense of beauty of person who presents it, and satisfaction of person who receives it. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>

Mr. Katsumi Arai___Hand-made broom
	The Japanese broom, which is from Asuka Period, totally differs from the broom abroad which the materials are just bundled. The broom by Mr.Arai is braided elaborately with broom cone that is commited to farmhouses. It is not only beautiful but also many people amaze the toughness and the usefulness for sweeping the corner of the room where a vacuum can't clean up. GO TO HIS CRAFT>>