As many visitors to Japan want to experience the culture, one such way that they can fulfill this is through art. Japan, and more specifically Hyogo Prefecture, is home to a number of traditional crafts—some of which guests can try to make themselves.
Breathtaking Banshu-Ori
Banshu-ori is a traditional Japanese textile that is dyed and weaved. It originates in the Banshu region, which is modern-day Nishiwaki City. The city is located at the mouth of three rivers, and this access meant that the textile quickly became an area of importance for the Japanese fabric industry. One manufacturer of Banshu-ori is tamaki niime, founded by a female fashion designer of the same name. She designed the “Only One” shawl, intended to be worn by anyone and everyone.
Intricate Straw Craft
Called mugiwara zaiku in Japanese, this type of straw craft uses straw that has been flattened, dyed, and cut before being placed on small boxes, colored paper, spinning tops, and clay bells. It came to Kinosaki Onsen in mid-Edo era (around 1720 AD) when a craftsman stayed in the town and sold his straw craft to pay for his lodging. During a visit to this hot spring town, guests can make their own original straw craft design on a small box to take home.
Historic Tamba Pottery
Tamba pottery, also called Tamba-yaki and Tamba-tachikui, boasts a history of 800 years. Visitors to Tamba-Sasayama can see a nobori-gama, a climbing kiln that is one of the six ancient kilns of Japan. The ash from the wood from these kilns falls on the pottery and fuses with the iron contained in the clay to form a natural green and brown glaze. While in town, a trip to Tachikui Sue no Sato allows guests to view and buy pottery from over 50 different local artists.
Trying different types of traditional art in Hyogo is one way through which visitors to Japan can experience Japanese culture.
Hyogo Prefecture is easily reachable from Osaka and Kyoto by JR train. The Hyogo Tourism Bureau provides more detailed information about traveling to and within the prefecture.
Please email us at office@hyogobcc.org if you have any questions about Hyogo Prefecture or the Kansai region.