Passing Down Handcrafting Traditions of Ishikawa to the Next Generation

Ishikawa Prefecture is located in the central part of Honshu, Japan’s main island. To the north, it extends into the Sea of Japan with the Noto Peninsula, while the southern region features the Kaga area, offering a landscape rich in natural beauty. The prefecture spans 100.9 km east to west and 198.4 km north to south, with a coastline stretching 580.6 km. Its diverse natural environment includes the rugged Sotoura and serene Uchiura coasts of the Noto region, the Tedori River Alluvial Fan, and the Kaga Plain, shaped by the abundant water flow from the Hakusan mountain range.

During the Edo period, Ishikawa thrived as part of the Kaga Domain under the rule of the Maeda family, famously known as “Kaga Hyakumangoku” for its immense wealth and cultural prosperity. Even today, the prefecture preserves this rich cultural heritage, passing down a variety of traditional crafts. Furthermore, Ishikawa boasts a vibrant food culture that takes full advantage of its abundant natural resources.

Ishikawa’s Handcrafts

Ishikawa Prefecture is home to the flourishing "Kaga Hyakumangoku Culture," a legacy of the cultural promotion policies championed by the Maeda clan, rulers of the Kaga Domain during the Edo period. This tradition has been carefully passed down to the present day.

The crafts and culinary culture nurtured by the unique climate and history of Ishikawa reflect a rich diversity of techniques and traditions, combined with the blessings of Hokuriku's abundant natural environment.

These creations, cherished by local artisans and those who have been drawn to Ishikawa’s allure and made it their home, are passed from person to person, hand to hand, ensuring that they continue to shine as a source of pride for Ishikawa Prefecture.