Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: craft

Page number: 1 2 3

Japanese sword

日本刀刀
alternative words: Nihonto, Nihon-to, Nihon to, Nihontou, Nihon-tou, Nihon tou, Sword, Katana, Swords
keywords: art , craft , thing , weapon
related topics: Heian period , Kamakura period , Muromachi period , Samurai , Masamune , Muramasa , Tsuba
related web sites: http://www2d.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamaka/ , http://www.n-p-s.net
explanation: Japanese swords had been made first in the official factories. After a collapse of the central government at the end of Heian period, then samurai clans took powers in Kamakura period, the sword smiths of each region had competed to make their best. They are highly appreciated because of their artistic aspect and called "Ko-to" (old sword). After Muromachi period, the technique of fabrication had greatly improved and become industrial. The swords of this period are called "Shin-to" (new sword).

Kamidana

神棚
alternative words: Kami-dana, Kami dana, Shrine in miniature, Shinto altar
keywords: craft , thing
related topics: Amaterasu , Shintoism , Edo period , Shimenawa
related web sites: http://www.kamidana.com , http://www.phoenix-c.or.jp/~jinjya/sub1/sub1-1.html
explanation: During Edo period, Japanese have been accustomed to visit Ise shrine which worships Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. There, it was distributing "ofuda", a kind of paper strip which is considered having the same holly power as shrine itself. So people built an altar in home to install it. Later this practice has been generalized for other shinto shrines. Kamidana looks like a shrine in miniature and is installed on a shelf. It should face to south or east direction and avoid a noisy place like near door.

Kimono

着物和服
alternative words: Wafuku, Japanese clothes, Japanese clothing
keywords: art , craft
related topics: Heian period , Samurai , Edo period , Haori , Obi , Hakama
related web sites: http://www.kimono-taizen.com , http://www.sgm.co.jp
explanation: Initially an imitation of Chinese style, Japanese clothes were born in the middle of Heian period when the newly-risen samurai class adopted "Kariginu", literally "clothes for hunts", of the court's aristocrats because of its commodity for moves. This samurai style clothes, "Hitatare", spread to other population during Kamakura and Muromachi periods. The main change which occurred in Edo period is the appearance of a wide belt (Obi) and an over clothes (Haori).

Kokeshi

こけし小芥子
alternative words: Kokeshi doll
keywords: art , craft , thing
related topics: Japanese doll , Kimono
related web sites: http://homepage3.nifty.com/bokujin/ , http://www.geocities.jp/kokeshi_net/
explanation: Wooden Japanese female doll, composed of a cylindrical body with motif of polychrome Japanese robe (Kimono) and a round head attached at the top. The fabrication began in Meiji period as a tourist gift of hot springs in Tohoku region (north western region) where farmers had many free time during long winter. According to manufacturing towns there exist a dozen of styles and old kokeshi is an object of collection.

Masamune

正宗五郎正宗五郎入道正宗
alternative words: Goro Masamune, Goronyudo Masamune, Goro nyudo Masamune
keywords: art , craft , famous person , weapon
related topics: Kamakura period , Oda Nobunaga , Sengoku period , Japanese sword
related web sites: http://www.n-p-s.net/T_Masamune.htm
explanation: Sword smith of the late Kamakura period but few is known about him because sword smiths were not considered as established artists at that period. According to a source, he was a disciple of Kunimitsu and lived at Kamakura. His swords were also called Masamune and characterized by a wide blade and gorgeous wave motifs which would be highly appreciated by war lords of sengoku period such as Oda Nobunaga. Due to its oldness, only some examples have survived until now.

Muramasa

村正右衛門尉村正妖刀村正
alternative words: Uemonnojo Muramasa, Uemon no jo Muramasa, Cursed sword Muramasa
keywords: art , craft , famous person , weapon
related topics: Muromachi period , Tokugawa Ieyasu , Sengoku period , Japanese sword
related web sites: http://nabesan.stbbs.net/history/japanese/muramasa.html
explanation: Sword smith of the late Muromachi period in Mie prefecture. By studying the swords, it was shown that there should have existed 3 generations of sword smiths who carried the name of Muramasa. They were characterized by a similitude of motifs on the both side and very popular during Sengoku period because of their sharpness. They became cursed swords of Tokugawa family because both the grand farther and farther of Tokugawa Ieyasu would have been killed by Muramasa swords.

Netsuke

根付根付け
keywords: craft , thing
related topics: Edo period
related web sites: http://www.netsuke.org , http://www.netsuke.com , http://www.netsuke.co.jp , http://www.kousei-s.com
explanation: Kimono having no pocket to carry things such as tobacco pouches or seal cases, Japanese were hanging them to the belt (Obi). In order to avoid losing them inopportunely, people attached a small toggle (netsuke) at the cord of pouches. This custom has been expanded since the middle of Edo period and netsuke became a real artistic product. Its size is about 3cm and made with ivory, jade or metal. The preferred motifs are legendary figures, animals and birds. Anei Kaigyokusai is the most famous netsuke artist.

Nishikigoi

錦鯉緋鯉
alternative words: Nishiki goi, Higoi, Koi fish, Koi, Colored carp, Carp
keywords: craft
related web sites: http://www.echigo.ne.jp/~koi/ , http://www.urban.ne.jp/home/koistaff/ , http://www2.ocn.ne.jp/~yamakosi/ , http://www2.ktarn.or.jp/~sensuke/entrance.htm
explanation: In some regions of Japan, by keeping waters in rice fields even after harvesting, the people raise carps for their meats. Since old times they have observed the appearance of colored carps due to a mutation but remained a local curiosity. Since the invention of locomotives and cars which allow to transport them for a long distance, raising colored carps has become a true business and many races have been created. Yamakoshi region in Niigata prefecture is well known for it.

Obi

帯
alternative words: Kimono belt, Japanese kimono belt, Belt
keywords: art , craft
related topics: Kimono
related web sites: http://www.omn.ne.jp/~kn38/
explanation: Curiously, "obi" is a kimono's component who developed lately. Initially people wore kimono with a narrow string, revolved once and attached before. The modern "obi" appeared during Muromachi period with "kosode" (small sleeve), i.e. the actual form of kimono. During Edo period, obi has become a decorative element for women, revolved several times with a huge not behind, while men's obi evolved little. Nowadays, the most of obi is made at Nishijin in Kyoto.

Sakata no kintaro

坂田金太郎坂田金時金太郎怪童丸
alternative words: Kintaro, Sakata no Kintoki, Sakatano Kintaro, Kaido maru, Kintarou
keywords: craft , famous person , kabuki , tale
related topics: Konjaku monogatari , Heian period , Edo period , Kabuki , Tango no sekku
related web sites: http://www.city.minamiashigara.kanagawa.jp/A/A0500/A0500.htm , http://www2c.airnet.ne.jp/toyo/
explanation: A legendary figure of Heian period and one of 4 followers (Shitenno) of Minamoto no Yorimitsu who killed a famous bandit, Shutendoji of Mt Oeyama. According to Konjaku monogatari he would be raised by a yamauba (mountain witch) and trained his force with bears at Mt Ashigara near Hakone. During Edo period, he appeared in Joruri and Kabuki plays as a red boy with an ax and a stomach cover. His doll is also set during the boy's festival (Tango no sekku) in May.

Page number: 1 2 3
23 articles extracted from postgresql database.