Crafts - Wanooku

What Is Kokeshi?

What is kokeshi? The wooden dolls of Tohoku — 11 traditional regional types, the sosaku (creative) tradition, and how to collect.

Japanese dolls (ningyo) explained: hina dolls, gosho ningyo, ichimatsu, and the regional traditions from Kyoto to Edo.

What is Nambu ironware? The cast-iron kettle (tetsubin) tradition of Iwate Prefecture — history, technique, and how to choose.

Japanese metalwork techniques: shakudo and shibuichi alloys, nunome-zogan inlay, and the extraordinary craft of sword fittings.

What is tansu furniture? Traditional Japanese storage chests — regional types (Sendai, Sado, Kiri), construction, and collecting.

What is origami? The Japanese art of paper folding — history from ceremonial folds to Yoshizawa’s modern system and beyond.

How is washi made? Step by step through the traditional papermaking process — kozo preparation, beating, sheet forming, drying.

What is washi paper? Traditional Japanese paper — raw materials, regional traditions (Echizen, Mino, Kurotani), and why it lasts.

What is Japanese bamboo craft? The uses of bamboo in architecture, tea ceremony, ikebana, and traditional daily objects.

Japanese woodworking joints (kumiko) explained: the no-nail joinery tradition, key joint types, and why they’re still used today.

Makie explained: the Japanese lacquer decoration technique using gold and silver powders — types, tools, and regional traditions.

What is urushi lacquer? The sap behind Japan’s lacquerware tradition — how it’s harvested, processed, layered, and cured.