Stories of commitment to centuries-old tradition.
Meet the Masters
Discover the artisan behind the art with in-depth interviews exploring each of the narratives of Deeper Japan’s cultural expert partners.
Meet Yuji, Black Vinegar Brewer
“For us, this is what authentic black vinegar looks like, and we take great pride in preserving this method.”
— Yuji, Black Vinegar Brewer
Meet Hiroshi, Agano-yaki Potter
“I realized that even though (traditional crafts) are a narrow world, it’s incredibly deep. Rather than expanding outward, it draws you deeper and deeper. And even as you go deeper, there’s no end. ”
— Hiroshi, Agano-yaki Potter
Meet Koichi, Tea Farmer
“No matter what country you go to, I believe that the people who are conscious about the natural environment, are the people who actually think about where the products come from. And I think it’s important to be able to properly communicate with such people.”
— Koichi, Tea Farmer
Meet Mitsumasa, Kurume Kasuri Artisan
“I’m doing a job that’s been going on for over 200 years, and I’ve been continuing the job in the same exact way it has been practiced for over 200 years.”
— Mitsumasa, Kurume Kasuri Artisan