Category:Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the Chūgoku region of western Honshū, facing the Seto Inland Sea. The prefecture’s geography includes coastal islands, gentle plains, and forested mountains, supporting maritime trade, agriculture, and craft production. Its position along important inland sea routes historically connected Hiroshima with cultural and commercial networks across western Japan.

The capital, Hiroshima City, developed as a castle town and later became a major modern industrial and cultural center. The city is also known globally for its history in the 20th century and for its ongoing role as a center for peace, cultural memory, and international exchange. Coastal towns and inland valleys preserve strong local craft and performing-arts traditions.

Culturally, Hiroshima is known for **woodworking, lacquerware, textiles, and folk crafts linked to everyday life and seasonal traditions**. The prefecture’s crafts often emphasize durability, clarity of form, and subtle natural beauty, shaped by both maritime culture and mountain village craftsmanship.

Signature Crafts of Hiroshima Prefecture

• Miyajima woodwork (宮島細工) – wooden utensils and carving traditions associated with Itsukushima Shrine and island workshop culture.
• Kumano brushes (熊野筆) – high-quality brushes used for calligraphy, painting, and cosmetics, renowned for softness and craftsmanship.
• Bingo kasuri (備後絣) – indigo-dyed woven textiles featuring geometric patterns, produced in the Fukuyama area.
• Folk lacquering and woodworking – rooted in domestic life and religious craft production.