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OZEKI
Chochin letters are made by a long-established chochin manufacturer to connect people with each other. It is a gift that conveys gratitude.
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YAMATSU
Challenge in the 150th year of business. We will continue to make tea utensils that match our daily life and protect the life with tea.
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MARUMO TAKAGI
Emotions and surprises. Cherry blossoms and fireworks emerge beautifully in ceramics.
GIfu Information
Gifu prefecture was a strategic region for rulers in the Edo Period, and today Gifu Castle sits proudly on the original mountain site with stunning views of the surrounding area and nearby Nagara River. This river is famous for scenes of fishermen using cormorant birds on a leash to catch fish at night under the light of lanterns. Another famous scene is the distinctive “gassho style” houses with steep thatched roofs to protect from the heavy snow that falls in Shirakawa Village every winter.
In addition to textiles and tourism, traditional handicrafts contribute significantly to the Gifu economy and lifestyle. Gifu paper lanterns, or “chochin,” are unique folding lanterns made from Japanese Mino washi, bamboo and hinoki. The wood material is sourced locally, and washi paper is created from paper mulberry plants that are prevalent around Mino City. Another traditional handicraft, with roots traced back to the 5th century, Mino ware is a diverse collection of pottery styles with a strong historical conection to the tea ceremony.
