4 crafts designated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Amakusa ceramics from Kumamoto use locally sourced silica stone to produce a pure white porcelain body. Fired on the Amakusa islands since the 17th century.
Higo Zogan from Kumamoto is a metal inlay craft developed for sword fittings by samurai-era artisans. Gold and silver are hammered into blackened iron in floral patterns.
Shodai pottery from Kumamoto is a bold folk ceramic known for its thick, flowing ash-green glazes. Appreciated for its unpretentious beauty rooted in Korean ceramic traditions.
Yamaga lanterns from Kumamoto are extraordinary sculptures made entirely from washi paper, shaped into miniature shrines and ornaments without using glue or wire.