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A Japanese book published in 1784, Iroe Shokunin Burui depicts craftsmen in the mid Edo period (1603 – 1868). It was written by Tachibana Minko, an ukiyoe-artist from Kyoto in mid Edo Period.

The colorful illustrations in the book give us an interesting aspect of the life in old Japan, showing how they made their living.
The book was reprinted in Taisho period (1912 – 1926). Here are some illustrations from the reprinted version.

Craftsmen in Edo Period

Yoroi (armor): He is making a samurai armor.

Itokumi (braid): Beautifully braided cords were popular among men and women.

Motoyui (cord for tying hair): He twists paper into strings, and starches them to make cords.

Kami (papermaking): They are making Japanese style paper, washi.

Kagami (mirror): Mirror polishers walked around a town to polish blurred mirror.

Kaji (katana) (forging sword): The master is forging katana (sword).

Mari (ball): The ball is made of deerskins and sewn together using the skin of a horse.

Horimono (engraver): They are making wood ornaments.

Misu (screen): They are making a reed screen.

Biidoro (glass): They are making glass art. Glass was called “biidoro” after “vidro (glass)” in Porturgeese.

Ougi (folding fan): They are making folding fan.

To be continued…

Source: Wafusozai.com

This is JAPAN Style!