Kutaniyaki ceramics in Ishikawa Prefecture ()
Besides its beautiful landscapes, profound history and various delicacies, Japan’s Hokuriku region is a treasure box of traditional arts and crafts. The region in the northern part of Honshu is known for its fine porcelainware, knives and metal-casted products. Encounter the excellent craftmanship centuries in the making in Hokuriku.
Fukui
Ryusen Hamono, a leading maker of table knives, has been creating incredible hammer-forged knives since 1953. Knifemaking has existed in the region for over 700 years and Ryusen Hamono continues the tradition.
Visit the factory in Echizen City to see how skilled craftsmen apply time-tested techniques to produce knives with amazing sharpness and beautiful shape using “Ryusenrin” edge patterns. Ryusenrin is an otherworldly effect created on the blade through the hardening process.
Ishikawa
At Kutaniyaki Art Museum in Kaga City, encounter the vivid colors and designs of the local porcelain, considered a signature craft in Japan with over 360 years of history.
The museum displays a variety of archival works, a digital library and other displays in its gallery.
Throughout history, Kutaniyaki porcelainware was mostly used for ceremonies, in more recent times, local artisans have been working to create pieces for daily use. Wear Kutani is a collective of 18 women producing handmade Kutaniyaki accessories using traditional techniques that is available for purchase at several shops and museums in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Another traditional craft out of Ishikawa is gold leaf encrusting. Gold leaf was first produced in the region over 400 years ago and since then has grown to become the leading producer nationally.
Hakuichi in Higashi Chaya District offers visitors hands-on workshops to make a unique gold leaf souvenir. The shop also offers many gold leaf crafts for purchase.
Toyama
Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture has nearly 400 years of history in metal casting. Today it is Japan’s leader in cast metal production. One of the top factories, Nousaku, began manufacturing casts in 1916 and produces various tin products, such as Buddhist altar ware, tea ceremony utensils and flower vases. Nousaku still uses the original metal-casting techniques, but also apply them to produce wider-ranged modern tableware, stationery and decorative objects and figures. Visitors can check out the factory for a hands-on experience of making a paperweight or tin cup in the traditional way.
Hokuriku’s local crafts are enduring symbols of the region’s history. Don’t miss the amazing knives, porcelainware and metal-casted crafts when you visit!
