Traditional Crafts of Shimane Prefecture

3 crafts designated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Ceramics
Iwami Stoneware
石見焼

Rugged, utilitarian stoneware from Shimane's Iwami coast, traditionally used for water jars, mortars, and kitchen vessels. Made from local iron-rich clay, Iwami pots are famed for their strength and salt-resistant durability.

Washi (Japanese Paper)
Sekishu Washi Paper
石州和紙

UNESCO-inscribed handmade paper from Shimane, known for its extraordinary strength and soft texture. Sekishu washi is used for traditional documents, shoji screens, stationery, and fine art printing.

Stationery & Writing
Unshu Soroban Abacus
雲州そろばん

Precision wooden abacuses from Okuizumo in Shimane, crafted with meticulous attention to bead smoothness and frame balance. Alongside Banshu, Unshu abacuses represent the gold standard of Japanese abacus production.