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| Ishikawa prefecture is a kingdom of traditional arts and crafts. The treasures are as rich as in Kyoto
There are multiple of traditional arts and crafts ,traditional entertainment in the Ishikawa
Prefecture, which are handed down for centuries. Of them, 10 are nationally designated as
traditional art crafts. They are: Wajima Lacquer Ware, Yamanaka Lacquer Ware, Kanazawa Lacquer
Ware, Kutani Porcelain, Kaga Yuzen Silk, Ushikubi Silk, Kanazawa Buddhist Altar, Nanao Buddhist
Altar, Kanazawa Gold Leaf and Kaga Embroidery. In addition, Ishikawa Prefecture designated 6 of
them as traditional handicrafts and there are 20 other traditional handicrafts manufactured in
the prefecture.
Currently, there are 2,430 businesses engaged in manufacturing the 10 nationally designated
traditional handicrafts, employing 10,530 craftsmen. The annual production is 35.710 billion yen
(of the designated traditional arts and crafts alone), ranking at number 2 in the nation following
Kyoto.
Ishikawa Prefecture has been known as "the kingdom of traditional arts and crafts", and has produced
a number of outstanding artists and handicraftsmen, including 17 living national treasures and
recipients of Order of Cultural Merit. Traditional arts and crafts have been associated with the
livelihood of local people for centuries.
The fact is reflected in the number of Nitten winners. The average winners are 3 in every 10,000
of Ishikawa's population. This places Ishikawa the second place in the nation following Kyoto,
and at number one in term of traditional handicrafts field. Every year, Ishikawa Prefecture produces
more than 10% of winners in the Japanese traditional handicrafts contests. For centuries Ishikawa
prefecture has provided environments for the youngsters to get associated with arts and crafts
and helped them grow to be layers of skilled craftsmen.
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