Alison Wright photographer logo
  • Home
  • Portfolios
    • Documentary
    • Humanitarian
    • Human Tribe: Global Portraits
    • Commercial
  • Store
    • Books
    • Prints
  • Archives
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Public Speaking
  • About
    • About Alison
    • Press
    • Human Tribe Video
    • Faces of Hope
  • Contact
  • galleries
  • search
  • invites & lightboxes
  • cart 
  • account
  • client area

Traditional crafts of Japan  
(73 images)

  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he learned from his grandfather. Uses the mitsumata plant. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Third generation papermaker, he...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Family run Sankaido Confectionary Shop, since 1900, for five generations. Although this was usually a male run business the father is happy to see his daughter, 28, learn the fine art of confectionary from him. She studied business in the United States and came back to work here with her family. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Family run Sankaido Confectionary Shop, since...
  • Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari weaving, an old tradional craft to weave silk for kimonos. Usually this is a man's job, she learned from a traditonal master weaver, and she is the only woman doing this. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. This female master weaver uses a unique machine for kusari...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Family run Sankaido Confectionary Shop, since 1900, for five generations. Although this was usually a male run business the father is happy to see his daughter, 28, learn the fine art of confectionary from him. She studied business in the United States and came back to work here with her family. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Family run Sankaido Confectionary Shop, since...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta, 69, is a master stencil artist and his female student Keiko Nasu, 33, has been working closely with him for five years. These stencils, cut by hand, are used for unique kimono and scarf patterns and can take up to a month for each design. This is generally a male oriented profession, he learned from his father and wanted to continue the business but now not so many are wearing kimonos. Keiko loves kimonos and patterns, cutting paper, it requires concentration and stability. She makes six copies at a time and sells the original. With Keiko as a student Mr. Ikutu realizes how much he learned so the student became the teacher. They both feel a responsibility for continuing this dying tradition. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta,...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta, 69, is a master stencil artist and his female student Keiko Nasu, 33, has been working closely with him for five years. These stencils, cut by hand, are used for unique kimono and scarf patterns and can take up to a month for each design. This is generally a male oriented profession, he learned from his father and wanted to continue the business but now not so many are wearing kimonos. Keiko loves kimonos and patterns, cutting paper, it requires concentration and stability. She makes six copies at a time and sells the original. With Keiko as a student Mr. Ikutu realizes how much he learned so the student became the teacher. They both feel a responsibility for continuing this dying tradition. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta,...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta, 69, is a master stencil artist and his female student Keiko Nasu, 33, has been working closely with him for five years. These stencils, cut by hand, are used for unique kimono and scarf patterns and can take up to a month for each design. This is generally a male oriented profession, he learned from his father and wanted to continue the business but now not so many are wearing kimonos. Keiko loves kimonos and patterns, cutting paper, it requires concentration and stability. She makes six copies at a time and sells the original. With Keiko as a student Mr. Ikutu realizes how much he learned so the student became the teacher. They both feel a responsibility for continuing this dying tradition. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta,...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta, 69, is a master stencil artist and his female student Keiko Nasu, 33, has been working closely with him for five years. These stencils, cut by hand, are used for unique kimono and scarf patterns and can take up to a month for each design. This is generally a male oriented profession, he learned from his father and wanted to continue the business but now not so many are wearing kimonos. Keiko loves kimonos and patterns, cutting paper, it requires concentration and stability. She makes six copies at a time and sells the original. With Keiko as a student Mr. Ikutu realizes how much he learned so the student became the teacher. They both feel a responsibility for continuing this dying tradition. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta,...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta, 69, is a master stencil artist and his female student Keiko Nasu, 33, has been working closely with him for five years. These stencils, cut by hand, are used for unique kimono and scarf patterns and can take up to a month for each design. This is generally a male oriented profession, he learned from his father and wanted to continue the business but now not so many are wearing kimonos. Keiko loves kimonos and patterns, cutting paper, it requires concentration and stability. She makes six copies at a time and sells the original. With Keiko as a student Mr. Ikutu realizes how much he learned so the student became the teacher. They both feel a responsibility for continuing this dying tradition. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Suzuka city. The art of stencil. Yoshinori Ikuta,...
  • Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans, they are highly educated in tea cermony, flower arranging, playing music, calligraphy, are well read and good conversationists. Her black teeth are a sign of beauty. Therare about 5 tayu today, compared to about 300 geisha. "A tayu is my ideal woman image, I chose to be one. I was also concerned that this culture would disapear." Model released.
    Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans,...
  • Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans, they are highly educated in tea cermony, flower arranging, playing music, calligraphy, are well read and good conversationists. Her black teeth are a sign of beauty. Therare about 5 tayu today, compared to about 300 geisha. "A tayu is my ideal woman image, I chose to be one. I was also concerned that this culture would disappear." Model released.
    Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans,...
  • Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans, they are highly educated in tea cermony, flower arranging, playing music, calligraphy, are well read and good conversationists. Her black teeth are a sign of beauty. Therare about 5 tayu today, compared to about 300 geisha. "A tayu is my ideal woman image, I chose to be one. I was also concerned that this culture would disappear." Attended by her "mother," who was also a Tayu. Model released.
    Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans,...
  • Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans, they are highly educated in tea cermony, flower arranging, playing music, calligraphy, are well read and good conversationists. Her black teeth are a sign of beauty. Therare about 5 tayu today, compared to about 300 geisha. "A tayu is my ideal woman image, I chose to be one. I was also concerned that this culture would disappear." Tayu walking down the street. Model released.
    Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans,...
  • Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans, they are highly educated in tea cermony, flower arranging, playing music, calligraphy, are well read and good conversationists. Her black teeth are a sign of beauty. Therare about 5 tayu today, compared to about 300 geisha. "A tayu is my ideal woman image, I chose to be one. I was also concerned that this culture would disappear." Tayu walking down the street. Model released.
    Japan; Kyoto. Kikugawa, a Tayu or Oiran. Once known as a courtesans,...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga. Woman weaving special decorative braids used for Japanese swords and kimonos. She's third generation and learned from her mother, still weaving by hand, although mostly now sells through the internet. She runs the business with her husband. Ther are few doing this anymore, it's a dying art and her children have no interest in persuing it. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga. Woman weaving special decorative braids used...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least eight generations. Iga pottery is a special style using local hard clay with a high resistance to fire. The daughter is at least eighth generation and learned from her father, working at the potter's wheel. She's the youngest of four girls, but only two of them do pottery. It's a male oriented profession as the kneading is very physical. She stayed at a Zen monsatery for a year, and studied spiritual training as well as cooking school to apply these skills to her earthenware pottery. She finds making pottery very meditative and likes to imagine the food cooking in her pot as she's making it. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least eight generations. Iga pottery is a special style using local hard clay with a high resistance to fire. The daughter is at least eighth generation and learned from her father, at the potters wheel. She's the youngest of four girls, but only two of them do pottery. It's a male oriented profession as the kneading is very physical. She stayed at a Zen monsatery for a year, and studied spiritual training as well as cooking school to apply these skills to her earthenware pottery. She finds making pottery very meditative and likes to imagine the food cooking in her pot as she's making it. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least eight generations. Iga pottery is a special style using local hard clay with a high resistance to fire. The daughter is at least eighth generation and learned from her father, at the potters wheel. She's the youngest of four girls, but only two of them do pottery. It's a male oriented profession as the kneading is very physical. She stayed at a Zen monsatery for a year, and studied spiritual training as well as cooking school to apply these skills to her earthenware pottery. She finds making pottery very meditative and likes to imagine the food cooking in her pot as she's making it. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least eight generations. Iga pottery is a special style using local hard clay with a high resistance to fire. The daughter is at least eighth generation and learned from her father, unloading the kiln. She's the youngest of four girls, but only two of them do pottery. It's a male oriented profession as the kneading is very physical. She stayed at a Zen monsatery for a year, and studied spiritual training as well as cooking school to apply these skills to her earthenware pottery. She finds making pottery very meditative and likes to imagine the food cooking in her pot as she's making it. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least eight generations. Iga pottery is a special style using local hard clay with a high resistance to fire. Male potter working at the studio. Making big pots to cook rice. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Iga City. Family run Iga pottery studio, at least...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Kurashiki dyeing, spinning and weaving studio. Rieko Ishigama is the owner. Her father opened this studio in 1953 so women from post-war Okinawa could learn a skill for work. The tradition carries on. Nine female students come every year to study in the one year program. These women practice mingei, to find beauty in life. Woman spinning wool. At 67 years old, she took some time from her family to learn this process of making a kimono by hand. Model released
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Kurashiki dyeing, spinning and...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Kurashiki dyeing, spinning and weaving studio. Rieko Ishigama is the owner. Her father opened this studio in 1953 so women from post-war Okinawa could learn a skill for work. The tradition carries on. Nine female students come every year to study in the one year program. These women practice mingei, to find beauty in life. This woman is weaving, came here for mengei. Model released
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Kurashiki dyeing, spinning and...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Hasimaya House and Kimono Shop. Fifth generation owner showing intricately woven kimono to customer. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki. Hasimaya House and Kimono Shop....
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Katsuyama. Tsuji Honten Sake factory. Family run for seven generations, brother-sister team of President and Master Brewer. Maiko, master brewer pouring sake. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Katsuyama. Tsuji Honten Sake factory. Family...
  • Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Katsuyama. Maiko, the master brewer stirring the sake vats at her Tsuji Honten Sake factory. Family run for seven generations, brother-sister team of President and Master Brewer. MR
    Japan, Okayama Prefecture, Katsuyama. Maiko, the master brewer stirring...
  • Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, incense ceremony at the resort. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, incense ceremony at the resort. Model released
  • Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, a resort. Appetizers.
    Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, a resort. Appetizers.
  • Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, a resort. The pastry chef making dessert. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. Hoshinoya, a resort. The pastry chef making dessert. Model...
  • Japan, Kyoto. Fureaikan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. Woman weaving braided cords for kimonos with traditional loom. Model released
    Japan, Kyoto. Fureaikan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. Woman...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they make kutani porcelain, a traditional style of pottery with overglaze. He throws the pots while she paints them with the glaze. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Husband and wife in their studio where they...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. The Kayotei Ryokan. Geisha visiting guests at the ryokan. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. The Kayotei Ryokan. Geisha visiting guests at...
  • Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Photographer and paper artist. Mika makes her paper by hand from the Gampi bush, and creates photograms on them from her large format camera. The idea is to photograph nature and print it on nature. Model released
    Japan, Ishikawa, Yamanaka. Photographer and paper artist. Mika makes her...
All content © 1987-2018 Alison Wright. Any unauthorized reproduction or licensing of these photographs is in violation of U.S. and international copyright law.
PhotoShelter customization by digitaltechparis