I made a basic classification to help organize and research Japanese crafts. It’s based mainly on the categories used by the Japan Kōgei Association.
Personally, I’m especially interested in tableware—especially drinking glasses—so the information may be a little biased in that area.
I’ll update this list as needed while doing more research. If you find any mistakes, please let me know using the contact form in the sidebar.
Japanese Crafts (Overview)
A brief introduction to some of Japan’s major crafts, including ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, metalwork, woodworking, and others.
Ceramics (陶磁器 / Pottery & Porcelain)
Japanese ceramics are crafted using natural materials such as clay and stone, shaped by hand or wheel, and fired in kilns. The tradition includes both pottery (earthenware) and porcelain (stoneware).
Pottery
Made primarily from clay. Often unglazed or with rustic finishes.
- Bizen ware
- Rustic, reddish-brown pottery fired without glaze.
- Shigaraki ware
- Known for its rough clay texture and natural ash glaze.
- Karatsu ware
- Subtle, earthy designs used traditionally in tea ceremonies.
Porcelain
Made from finely ground stone; often white, hard, and highly decorated.
- Arita ware (Saga Prefecture)
- Japan’s first porcelain; detailed blue and white patterns.
- Imari ware (Saga Prefecture)
- Colorful porcelain exported widely in the 17th–19th centuries.
- Kutani ware (Ishikawa Prefecture)
- Vivid colors and bold, detailed painting.
Textile Dyeing and Weaving (染織 / Some & Ori)
Traditional Japanese textiles involve various dyeing and weaving techniques using natural fibers like silk and cotton.
Dyeing (Some)
Includes resist dyeing, stencil dyeing, and hand-painting.
Yuzen dyeing
Delicate hand-painted patterns, often on kimono fabric.
- Kyo-Yuzen (Kyoto)
- Elegant, colorful motifs.
- Kaga-Yuzen (Ishikawa)
- Realistic nature themes.
Stencil dyeing
Patterns made using paper stencils.
- Edo Komon
- Fine dot patterns from Tokyo.
- Ise Katagami
- Traditional stencils from Mie Prefecture.
Weaving (Ori)
Handweaving techniques producing luxurious and durable fabrics.
Tsumugi (Pongee silk)
Textured silk for everyday wear.
- Yuki Tsumugi
- Handwoven, known for its softness.
- Oshima Tsumugi
- Highly refined silk with intricate patterns.
Jofu (Fine linen fabrics)
- Echigo Jofu (Niigata)
- Miyako Jofu (Okinawa)
Lacquerware (漆芸 / Urushi Arts)
Traditional Japanese lacquerware is made by applying layers of natural lacquer (sap of the urushi tree) onto wood, bamboo, paper, or fabric. The surface becomes durable, glossy, and often richly decorated.
Wood-based Lacquerware (木胎漆器)
- Wajima lacquer (Ishikawa)
- High-quality lacquerware with gold and inlay decoration such as makie and chinkin.
- Aizu lacquer (Fukushima)
- Known for colorful and elegant makie designs.
- Yamanaka lacquer (Ishikawa)
- Durable wood base with carved patterns made on a lathe.
- Makie
- A technique of sprinkling gold or silver powder onto lacquer for decoration.
Bamboo-based Lacquerware (籃胎漆器)
- Kurume Rantai lacquer (Fukuoka)
- Made by weaving bamboo into a basket form and then coating it with layers of lacquer.
- Yamanaka lacquer (Ishikawa)
- Also includes bamboo-based works, with smooth curves and strong structure.
Cloth-based Lacquerware (乾漆漆器)
- Nara lacquer (Nara)
- An ancient technique using hemp cloth and lacquer, seen in Buddhist statues at Horyu-ji Temple.
Metalwork (金工 / Kinko)
Includes casting, hammering, and engraving techniques.
Casting (Chukin)
Molten metal poured into molds.
- Nambu ironware
- Traditional iron kettles and teapots.
- Takaoka copperware
- Bronze vases, incense burners, and Buddhist tools.
Hammering (Tankin)
Shaping by hammering metal sheets.
- Tsuiki copperware
- Hand-hammered copper vessels with unique textures.
Engraving (Chokin)
Carving decorative patterns into metal.
- Kyo metalwork
- Finely detailed fittings for swords and ornaments.
- Higo inlay
- Decorative inlay work using gold and silver.
Wood & Bamboo Crafts (木竹工)
Handcrafted items using traditional joinery, carving, turning, and weaving methods.
Woodworking
- Joinery (Sashimono)
- Interlocking wood parts with no nails.
- Carving (Kurumono)
- Hollowed-out objects like bowls.
- Woodturning (Hikimono)
- Spun on a lathe, often lacquered.
- Bentwood (Magewappa)
- Steam-bent wood, used for bento boxes.
Bamboo Crafts
- Weaving (Amimono)
- Handwoven bamboo baskets and tea utensils.
- Assemblage (Kumimono)
- Combining bamboo parts for decorative items.
Doll Crafts (人形・こけし / Ningyō & Kokeshi)
Japanese doll-making is a diverse art form. Depending on the material and technique, dolls have been used for festivals, religion, toys, and decorative art.
Wooden Dolls (木彫人形 / Carved Wooden Dolls)
- Gosho dolls (Kyoto)
- Plump, white-faced dolls symbolizing good fortune.
- Nara Itto-bori dolls (Nara)
- Hand-carved from a single block of wood.
- Kiji dolls (Tohoku)
- Simple dolls turned on a lathe, often brightly painted.
Cloth & Paper Dolls (布・紙を素材とする人形)
- Kimekomi dolls
- Fabric is tucked into grooves of a wooden base.
- Kamigamo Shrine dolls (Kyoto)
- Origin of this style.
- Edo Kimekomi dolls (Tokyo, Saitama)
- Developed later in Edo.
- Ichimatsu dolls
- Realistic dolls dressed in kimono.
- Costume dolls (衣装人形)
- Dolls wearing elaborate clothing.
- Harinuki dolls (Paper-molded dolls)
- Made by pasting layers of washi paper.
- Fushimi dolls (Kyoto)
- Popular folk papier-mâché dolls.
- Edo Oshie Hagoita dolls
- Decorative dolls on battledore paddles.
Ceramic & Porcelain Dolls (陶磁器を素材とする人形)
- Seto ceramic dolls (Aichi)
- Made with local pottery techniques.
- Arita porcelain dolls (Saga)
- Elegant dolls made of fine porcelain.
- Kyoto porcelain dolls
- Crafted with delicate ceramic techniques.
Other Types
- Kokeshi (Tohoku region)
- Wooden folk toys, hand-painted with simple faces and floral patterns.
- Tōso dolls (桐塑人形)
- Made from paulownia wood powder mixed with glue.
Miscellaneous Crafts (諸工芸 / Shokōgei)
This category includes crafts that do not belong to the main groups above. They use materials such as glass, paper, stone, and ivory, and have developed new techniques over time.
Glasswork (ガラス工芸)
- Blown glass
- Hand-blown glassware, such as Ryukyu glass (Okinawa) or Tsugaru Vidro (Aomori).
- Cut glass (Kiriko)
- Glass decorated with detailed cuts, such as Edo Kiriko (Tokyo) or Satsuma Kiriko (Kagoshima).
Cloisonné (七宝 / Shippo)
Decorative enamel applied to metal surfaces.
- Wired cloisonné (Yūsen Shippo)
- Using fine wires to outline designs (Owari cloisonné is famous).
- Plique-à-jour (Shōtai Shippo)
- A translucent type developed in the Meiji period.
- Mud enameling (Dei Shippo)
- A rare experimental style with unique textures.
Stone Crafts (石工芸)
- Jade (Gyoku)
- Carving of hard or soft jade.
- Inkstones (Suzuri)
- Stone tools for grinding ink, such as Ameyaba Suzuri or Nachiguro Suzuri.
Kirikane (截金)
A decorative technique where very thin gold or silver foil is cut into shapes and applied to surfaces.
Ivory Carving (象牙細工)
Intricate carvings often used for small items like inrō (medicine cases) and netsuke (toggles) during the Edo and Meiji periods.
Washi Paper Crafts (和紙工芸)
Handmade Japanese paper used for lanterns, fans, calligraphy, and decorative art.
- Mino Washi (Gifu)
- Echizen Washi (Fukui)
- Tosa Washi (Kochi)
- Nishinouchi Washi (Ibaraki)
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