Ise Katagami

Near Yokkaichi is the city of Suzuka, mostly famous for its Formula 1 racetrack. However, if you're of an artistic/crafty bent, there are some small remnants of the once-flourishing Ise Katagami industry. Artisans work for weeks or months over a single piece of handmade mulberry paper smaller than A4, hand-cutting intricate patterns. When finished, these are used to print kimonos and other fabrics. In the Edo period Suzuka had a thriving monopoly on the industry, but of course these days machines usually do the work. A couple of local artisan cooperatives still keep the handmade tradition alive, and they showed us their moves gladly.