Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: craft

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Arita ware

有田焼伊万里焼
alternative words: Arita, Aritayaki, Arita yaki, Arita ceramic, Imari ware, Imari, Imari yaki, Imariyaki, Imari ceramic
keywords: art , craft , korea , thing
related topics: Toyotomi Hideyoshi , Invasion of Korea , Satsuma ware
related web sites: http://www.imari.ne.jp
explanation: Ceramic made at Arita city in Saga prefecture. It is also called Imari ware after the name of its export harbor. The ceramic was invented in 1616 by a naturalized Korean potter, Ri Sanpei who Toyotomi Hideyoshi had brought to Japan during the Korean campaign. Initially it had only blue color but thanks to an invention of Sakaida Kakiemon, a red color has been added around 1640 and got a fame even in Europe. The name of Kakiemon comes from the color of this pottery, kaki (persimmon).

Bonsai

盆栽
alternative words: potted plant, dwarf tree, miniature tree
keywords: art , china , craft
related topics: Kamakura period , Zen
related web sites: http://www.bonsai.co.jp , http://www.mini-bonsai.com , http://www.nsknet.or.jp/~ja2br/ , http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zh6m-nsi/
explanation: The art of cultivating dwarfing trees and means " tray planting". It appeared initially in China during Tang dynasty more than 1000 years ago and introduced into Japan during Kamakura period with Zen. It had developed then quickly in Japan because it answered perfectly needs of Samurai clans who seeked a rest between 2 battles. This art having declined in China, it has been exported and loved all over the world with the Japanese name of Bonsai.

Daruma

達磨
alternative words: Darma, Bodhidharma, Daruma doll
keywords: buddhism , china , craft
related topics: Zen , Buddhism
related web sites: http://www.amie.or.jp/daruma/ , http://www.daruma.or.jp
explanation: Indian Buddhist priest, born in circa 470. He came to China to teach Zen doctrine but little is known about his real life. In Japan, he is popular through a doll showing his meditation posture in a red robe. Daruma doll of cocoon form appeared during Edo period at Takasaki city in Gunma prefecture to pray for a healthy growth of silk worms. Now people set it before any challenge such as an election by drawing one eye and will complete the eye when it becomes successful.

Hagoita

羽子板
alternative words: Hanetsuki paddle, Battledore paddle
keywords: art , craft , game , thing
related topics: New year , Hanetsuki
related web sites: http://www.tim.hi-ho.ne.jp/~m-ando/hagoita.htm , http://www4.big.or.jp/~kna/kna/hagoita1.html , http://www1.plala.or.jp/harasimahagoita/
explanation: Wooden paddle used for hanetsuki game. A simple paddle with picture drawn behind is used in a real game but there exists "hagoita" used as a new year gift for girls. The size is a little bigger and cloth made picture of kabuki actors or girls (now also with plastic) are attached in relief on the surface. Each December, all over Japan, hagoita markets (hogoita ichi) are open for the preparation of a new year. The market near Asakusa temple in Tokyo is notorious.

Hakama

袴
alternative words: Kimono trousers, Japanese trousers
keywords: craft
related topics: Kimono , Kofun period , Haniwa , Heian period , Meiji period , Samurai
related web sites: http://azusa.miko.org/~tatyana/event/hakama/hakama.html , http://www.j-avenue.com/sukeroku/hakama.htm
explanation: As attested by Haniwa doll of Kofun period, origin of hakama (Japanese trousers) was very old. Under an influence of the Chinese civilization, the usage of hakama had declined during Heian period and replaced by kimono with a long skirt, especially among women. When samurai clans took the power in the middle ages, the usage of hakama became again popular among men. Hakama for women resurfaced during Meiji period as a girl's school uniform.

Haori

羽織
alternative words: Kimono jacket
keywords: craft
related topics: Kimono , Edo period , Meiji period
related web sites: http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/hoteiya/turedurebn11.html , http://www.3ac.co.jp/sun/kogire/08g4c001.html
explanation: Literally "to wear by throwing", it may have originated from "jitsutoku", a jacket for servants or "jinbaori" a jacket worn by samurai over an armory, it became a casual clothing for men while banned for women because it was too manly. Since Meiji period it has become a formal costume for both men and women as street wear.

Hibachi

火鉢火桶
alternative words: Transportable brazier, Charcoal brazier, Hioki, Hibitsu
keywords: craft , thing
related topics: Nara period , Edo period
related web sites: http://www.saimeido.com , http://www.i-port.ne.jp/kankeimaru/
explanation: Transportable brazier used in traditional Japanese houses and made with porcelain jar of 30-40 cm diameter. It is served not only for occasional heating but also small cooking or boiling waters. Hibachi made with copper recipient existed already in Nara period but used only by aristocrats at that period. It is during Edo period that its use has been generalized in Japanese houses thanks to abundant ceramic ware. It should be used cautiously in a hermitic western house because of a risk of CO intoxication.

Japanese doll

日本人形
alternative words: Ningyo, Nihon ningyo, Nihon-ningyo, Ningyou, Nihon ningyou, Doll
keywords: art , craft , thing
related topics: Edo period , Momo no sekku , Tango no sekku , Kokeshi
related web sites: http://www.sekku.com
explanation: Contrary to western dolls, Japanese dolls are not merely toys for children but real arts of decoration and collection. This development had occurred during Edo period when festivity like "Momo no sekku" and "Tango no sekku" had become very popular among ordinary citizens thanks to a hike of their living standard and an advance of craftsmanship.

Japanese kite

凧
alternative words: Tako, kite
keywords: art , china , craft , game , thing
related topics: Heian period , Samurai , Edo period , Japanese paper , New year
related web sites: http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/ , http://www.nmt.ne.jp/~windlove/ , http://www.taimeiken.co.jp/takohaku/index_t.htm , http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/cokeian/ , http://www2.ginzado.ne.jp/shayo/yosidamati/tako/takokan.htm
explanation: Invented 3000 years ago, it arrived in Japan from China at the beginning of Heian period. During Kamakura period, the kites spread among samurai clans, not only because of their military interests but also they symbolized a bravery, but it is since Edo period that kites have become a popular entertainment for everybody. Contrary to western kites which give an importance to technical aspect, Japanese kites are appreciated by their beautiful pictures drawn on the surface.

Japanese paper

和紙日本紙
alternative words: Washi, Wa-shi, Wa shi, Nihonshi, Nihon-shi, Nihon shi
keywords: china , craft , korea
related topics: Heian period , Kamakura period , Edo period , Shoji
related web sites: http://www.kippo.or.jp/culture/washi/index.htm
explanation: Invented in China, its fabrication technique was brought to Japan in 610 by a Korean priest, Doncho. During Heian period, fancy papers that the nobility used to write down their poems were created from the official factories. In the following Kamakura period, the samurai clan needed utility paper while the factories were decentralized and Japanese paper reached its apogee during Edo period with more that 100 varieties but declined with an arrival of western papers.

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23 articles extracted from postgresql database.