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Woodblock Prints

Woodblock prints developed in Japan from the 17th through to the 19th centuries. The subjects include pictures of women , the world of pleasure quarters and landscapes. The greatest artists include Ando Hiroshige for his 53 views of the Tokaido Highway, Katsushika Hokusai for his views of Mt Fuji, Kitagawa Utamaro for beautiful Japanese women and Toshusai Sharaku for Kabuki actors. Antique and original prints are sold in speciality shops, with inexpensive reproductions widely available. Woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, make unique Japanese mementoes.

Wood and Bamboo

A large range of wood and bamboo items are available in Japan. Lacquerware is known as nurimono or shikki. Lacquerware trays, bowls and boxes have been produced since the 16th century and can be expensive but make excellent souvenirs. Famous ones include Wajima lacquerware of Ishikawa Prefecture, Shunkei lacquerware from Hida and Aizu lacquerware from Fukushima Prefecture. Aizu lacquerware is characterised by a method of undercoating with a substance made from persimmons and then sprinkled with gold dust. Kamakura style lacquerware is produced around the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture. Rough designs are carved on hard wood which is then finished with many layers of lacquer in black and vermilion. Bamboo instruments used for tea ceremony and traditional umbrellas made from bamboo and paper make popular and unusual souvenirs.

Lucky Charms

Japanese lucky charms are often sold at temple and shrine stalls. These are enormously popular in Japan and there is a large range from which to choose. Good luck charms may vary depending upon region, temple, shrine and even season. Maneki-neko is an ornamental cat usually made of porcelain, clay or wood. It is in a beckoning pose with its left paw raised to its left ear. It is used as a charm to draw in customers to shops and restaurants. The daruma is a red, paper maché doll representing the Buddhidharma who sits cross-legged in silent meditation. It is a symbol of good luck in business and used also for special wishes. Upon purchase one eye is coloured black and a wish is made. When the wish comes true the remaining eye is coloured. This doll has a weighted bottom so that it always returns to an upright position when it is tipped over. People wish on this doll in the hope that they too can rise again an eighth time even if they fall down seven. An o-mamori is a small good luck charm that is made of paper or cloth. It is blessed by Shinto priests to invite good luck and ward off evil spirits. They can be purchased for many different purposes, such as safety from traffic accidents, good health, school examinations, childbirth etc.

Cloisonne Metalwork

Cloisonne ware is known as shippoyaki and is the art of enamelling objects on a metal base of copper or silver. Shippo literally means "seven stones" ie. gold, silver, coral, agate, emerald, crystal and pearl. Vases, plates and other decorative items are made to have a gem-like surface of various colours by this enamelling art form.