Welcome to Craft Chronicles!

There are 1,456 traditional crafts in Japan, and I'll be sharing each and every one of them.

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Hi, I’m Hana, founder of OTO, helping global brands find the perfect Japanese traditional supplier. and get this. In just 47 prefectures, there are 243 country-registered traditional crafts and 1,213 prefecture-registered crafts. aka 1,456 in total. Math is Mathing.

Each craft has its own unique story, rooted in centuries of historical reasoning, culture, techniques passed down for generations. From the simple tools used by artisans to the deep connection they have with their communities, these crafts truly represent Japan's history.

But every year, small suppliers making these crafts are closing… so throughout these series, I’m going to share with you one by one from the north all the to the south, uncovering the stories behind each craft to raise awareness and help these crafts survive the next generation!

So buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey through Japan together.