Miscellaneous

One of the top ways to experience Japanese culture is through crafts. Many traditional crafts have persisted for centuries, and today some expert artisans are dedicated to the arts. The wide range of crafts means there’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy. Shodo Shodo is the art of calligraphy. Children learn this art in elementary school, but many people continue to practice it as a hobby into adulthood. It involves writing slowly and using the correct order of strokes, which can be particularly relaxing. Ikebana Western flower arrangement is an art in its own right, but the Japanese form of ikebana is much more complex. It’s important to pay attention to every element of the arrangement, including the leaves and stems of the flowers and the vase, to create the right shape. The result is simple but beautiful. Edo Kiriko One of the best-known crafts involving glasswork is Edo Kiriko. It involves carving patterns into colored glass. Interestingly, the engraving technique was introduced from Europe and later became a traditional Japanese craft. Origami Most people are familiar with origami, but they may be unaware of how complex the shapes can be. All use just a single piece of paper and…