Crafts – 工芸品

The Izumo area has been well-known as a source of agate since ancient times. The brightness of the stone, which has been admired for centuries, is still used in accessories and ornaments today. Comma-shaped beads called “magatama,” prized in Japan since ancient times, are a popular agate item. You can find shops selling Magatama all around town and workshops in Karakoro Art Studio and Tamatsukuri.

One characteristic of this type of lacquerware is that the gloss becomes more transparent and the colour becomes more vivid with time. This is a traditional folk craft that has been handed down since the time of the feudal lords, who employed master artisans to create lacquer goods for them.

Made from local Kimachi Stone, Izumo Stone Lanterns can be found in private and public gardens throughout Matsue. About 20 different producers carve lanterns of various sizes in both three-legged and single pillar styles. The special stone grows moss easily, so it adds character to outdoor spaces. There are also small stone lanterns perfect for indoor decoration.

These balls are made with embroidery and cotton thread, which are bound into a simple ball. Japanese paper is then stuck to the surface of the ball to form elaborate and beautiful designs. The balance of colors and the delicate overlapping technique make this a beautiful handicraft. You can even try making your own in Izumo Kanbe-no-Sato (Japanese website).

Fujina, Sodeshi, and Rakuzan are the three representative styles of Matsue pottery. Fujina, based near Tamatsukuri Onsen, has a slipware technique for adding patterns with cosmetic mud. Sodeshi, based near the Shimane Art Museum, produces Japanese and Western style pottery with warm, natural colours. Rakuzan, based near Shimane University, has Korean influences and was a favourite of the feudal lords of Matsue.

Izumo Folk-craft paper is made from soft, smooth fibers from Kozo, Mitsumata, and Gampi plants. They are dyed according to centuries old traditions in the Yakumo area of Southern Matsue, and the late Abe Eishiro, a National Living Treasure, expanded on those techniques with modern artistic sense. You can learn more and make some of this paper yourself at Abe Eishiro Memorial Museum.

It is said that the Matsue Anesama dolls were first made by maidservants at the castle and by the daughters of samurai families. There are 3 dolls in one set, with one doll each sporting traditional Shimada, Momoware and Okappa hairstyle. The dolls are simple, yet at the same time elegant.