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Continued from the yesterday’s post, “Book of Craftsmen in Edo Period : Part 1 (リンク).”

Iroe Shokunin Burui (1784) by Tachibana Minko

The following images are from the reprinted version made in Taisho period (1912 – 1926).

Craftsmen in Edo Period

Suzuri (inkstone): The master is carving inkstone.

Hikiusu (hand mill): The hand mill man is having a smoke during a break.

Karuta (playing cards): Painting on the karuta cards.

Karakasa (Japanese umbrella): He is gluing waterproof washi (Japanese paper) on an umbrella frame.

Kyouji (picture framer): He mounts pictures, fusuma (sliding door), and byobu (folding screen).

Tatami: He is sawing the border of a tatami mat.

Kawarake (unglazed earthenware): He is making a bowl on a wheel.

Fude (brush): They are making round brush for painting and calligraphy.

Men (mask): He is making wooden mask probably for a play.

Koto: They are making a koto, 13-stringed Japanese zither.

These occupations were common 300 years ago, but most of them are rare today. The number of the craftsmen who have these skills has been decreasing along with the time. That is why they are called “living national treasures.”

Source: Wafusozai.com

This is JAPAN Style!