Shokunin: A Journey Through Japan’s Traditional Craft Workshops

Your Invitation to Japan’s Craft Traditions

Japan is home to some of the world’s most treasured ‘Shokunin‘. Literally translating to ‘artisan’ or ‘craftsperson’ in English, the Japanese meaning runs much deeper. A true Shokunin is someone who dedicates their life to mastering their craft; it’s a rejection of mass-produced standardisation and a personal responsibility to preserve their traditions for future generations.

About My Journey

When I moved to Tokyo in early 2019, I quickly became obsessed with Japan’s timeless craft rituals. From mask-makers in Kyoto’s suburbs to indigo dyers in the mountains of Gifu, each time I entered a workshop I felt as though I was stepping into another world entirely. What I quickly learnt was that many of these practices are at risk of fading away. What will happen when the last swordsmith in a village puts down his hammer, or when the final rural woodcarver passes on with no apprentice?

About My Journey

When I moved to Tokyo in early 2019, I quickly became obsessed with Japan’s timeless craft rituals. From mask-makers in Kyoto’s suburbs to indigo dyers in the mountains of Gifu, each time I entered a workshop I felt as though I was stepping into another world entirely. What I quickly learnt was that many of these practices are at risk of fading away. What will happen when the last swordsmith in a village puts down his hammer, or when the final rural woodcarver passes on with no apprentice?

Japan’s Timeless Craft Studios

Shokunin proudly features 25 intimate artisan profiles, from family-run ceramic studios in Fukuoka, to a female-focused glass studio in Chiba and ceremonial lantern-makers practicing for more than 50 years in Tohoku. Some of the artisans in this book hold firmly to old ways, while others innovate with new forms and ideas, breathing new life into historic practices.

Discover Japan’s Lesser-Travelled Regions

Through the pages of Shokunin, I take you on journeys up and down the country, from Kyushu’s porcelain towns to the smithies of Kanazawa, and Ainu jewellery makers in Hokkaido to indigo artisans in the Japanese Alps. With actionable itineraries for each region, this book is a practical tool to help you explore Japan with a focus on design and authenticity.

Made by Hand in a Digital World

In an era of AI-dominated news headlines and social media algorithms, Shokunin invites you to slow down and appreciate a tactile piece of design. Across 280+ pages, we will travel the length of Japan together, welcoming you behind the scenes of the nation’s most resilient artisan studios and lesser-travelled regions. Expertly printed and beautifully bound by hand in Italy, Shokunin is produced to the highest level possible; the most fitting way to truly respect the craftsmen and women featured.