Category:Chūbu Region
Chūbu (中部地方) is a broad region located in the central part of Honshū, Japan's largest island. It spans from the Sea of Japan coast to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing diverse landscapes that include high mountain ranges, fertile plains, and coastal trade hubs. Chūbu’s geographic and cultural diversity has led to the development of distinct subregional identities, many of which are reflected in its craft traditions, dialects, and local material cultures.
Historically, Chūbu served as a crossroads between eastern and western Japan. Mountain passes, pilgrimage routes, and castle towns facilitated the circulation of people, goods, and artistic practices. The region’s crafts are deeply tied to local natural resources: lacquer forests in Hokuriku, clay deposits in Mino and Seto, mulberry cultivation for silk weaving, and river systems supporting papermaking.
Chūbu is often studied in three cultural subregions—Hokuriku, Kōshin’etsu, and Tōkai—each with its own craft histories and stylistic continuities. These divisions are especially relevant in the documentation of artisanal traditions and will be reflected in the Craftpedia structural framework.
Administrative Structure
Chūbu Region consists of nine prefectures:
- Niigata Prefecture
- Toyama Prefecture
- Ishikawa Prefecture
- Fukui Prefecture
- Yamanashi Prefecture
- Nagano Prefecture
- Gifu Prefecture
- Shizuoka Prefecture
- Aichi Prefecture
Cultural Significance
- Major historical ceramic centers, including Seto and Mino.
- Prominent lacquerware traditions in Wajima and Echizen.
- Strong textile production regions, including silk weaving and indigo dyeing.
- Cultural identity shaped by mountain geography and trade routes.
Geography
- Location: Central Honshū
- Landscape: Japan Alps, coastal plains, inland river valleys
- Major cities: Nagoya, Kanazawa, Niigata, Shizuoka
See also
Pages in category "Chūbu Region"
The following 39 pages are in this category, out of 39 total.
