The Mark of Beauty

The history of paper making in its Mino City, Gifu Prefecture home goes back 1,300 years. Mino washi paper is known as the best material for making Japan's shoji paper screens. It is a homogenous web of fibers each several millimeters long. The fibers in the paper disperse and soften the light. Enjoy the light produced by this artisanal magic!

The traditional, handcrafted cast-iron kettles known as "tetsubin", which evolved from the pots to heat water for tea ceremonies, are again in the spotlight. The kettles are traditionally black, but modern, colorful versions are available for use as teapots. They have been quite popular in western markets. New and different designs are being created by young Japanese artisans, underscoring the underlying strength of a traditional craft.

The focus is not real cats, but the amazing and profound genre of art featuring them. It is a world not even many cat lovers are aware of. Some adults love it and find it soothing. We look at cat dolls and other items featuring cats, such as cat kimono and even ghostly cats!