Inspiration, innovation and identity — our 20 Questions interviewees had lots to say about their chosen careers and the paths that led them here in 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/27/our-lives/2025-end-of-year-20-questions-wrap/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #livinginjapan #womensissues #japanesecrafts #shinto #anime #mixedrelationships #2025inreview

The textile industry in the Bingo region in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture has survived thanks to business leaders' innovations and quality that has stood the test of time. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/08/japan/hiroshima-textile-industry/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #hiroshima #textiles #kaiharadenim #fashion #japanesecrafts

Despite familiar threats of synthetic alternatives and a declining workforce, Shiga Prefecture's persimmon dyers believe the traditional craft is still worth the effort. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/01/style-design/persimmon-dyeing-textiles-shiga-crafts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesecrafts #textiles #rurallife

Despite familiar threats of synthetic alternatives and a declining workforce, Shiga Prefecture's persimmon dyers believe the traditional craft is still worth the effort. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/01/style-design/persimmon-dyeing-textiles-shiga-crafts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesecrafts #textiles #rurallife

Why would Amami Oshima’s traditional textile industry oppose being designated as one of Japan’s Intangible Cultural Properties? A new book on the country’s age-old crafts explores the thorny side of sustainability. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/10/24/books/dyeing-textiles-books-traditional-crafts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #books #japanesecrafts #books #textiles #kimono

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese craftwork became a lifeline for a New Yorker as she contemplated a major move with her husband. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/13/voices/sashiko-embroidery/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #voices #sashiko #craft #japanesecrafts #expats #kyoto

In a digital world, Japanese brand Plotter is betting on analog with its first-ever Harajuku shop providing binders, leather and the slow joy of paper. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/02/style-design/stationery-japan-plotter-notebooks-paper/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #stationery #japanesecrafts #bookstores

Tokyo has no shortage of fine art museums, but few hold a candle to how Hakone blends the beauty of its forested mountains with world-class paintings, sculptures and more. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/13/travel/hakone-art-travel-museums-nature/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #travel #travel #japaneseart #museums #japanesecrafts

Traditional Japanese crafts are facing headwinds with the changing times. Can non-Japanese artists play a part in keeping these lineages alive? https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/08/04/issues/japan-craft-tradition-international-artists/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #expats #japanesecrafts #kochi #kamakura #kochiprefecture#kanagawaprefecture#ishikawaprefecture

“It takes the women in the refugee camps anywhere from two to six months to embroider a single obi,” says Maki Yamamoto, a Tokyo native who spearheaded a project to combine Japanese kimono with Palestinian artistry. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/07/19/style-design/kimono-palestine-obi-embroidery/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesefashion #japanesecrafts #geisha

A regional trading house in Kyoto has been working to help preserve local traditional crafts by incorporating them into building materials and home decor. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/27/japan/kyoto-trading-firm-preserves-traditional-crafts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #kyotoamplitude #kyoto #japanesecrafts #kyotochuoshinkinbank