Category:Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture is located in the **Shikoku region**, facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is Japan’s smallest prefecture by land area, but historically and culturally significant due to its strategic position along maritime routes linking Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū. The region’s mild climate, islands, and gentle coastline have supported agriculture, salt production, and craft traditions for centuries.

The capital, Takamatsu, developed as a castle town and port city, serving as a hub of regional trade and cultural exchange. Inland temple complexes, such as those associated with the Shikoku Pilgrimage, reflect the prefecture’s longstanding spiritual and cultural networks. Local craft production has traditionally focused on refined techniques and skilled handwork.

Culturally, Kagawa is best known for its **lacquer and wood-based crafts**, often combining natural materials with precise finishing techniques. The prefecture’s craft traditions express understated elegance, subtle color, and an attention to texture that reflects both everyday use and aesthetic sensitivity.

Signature Crafts of Kagawa Prefecture

• Kagawa lacquerware (香川漆器) – lacquerware noted for refined techniques such as kinma (金磨), zōgan (象嵌), and choshitsu (彫漆), emphasizing layered color and delicate carving.
• Ritsurin-inspired garden crafts – artisanal stone, wood, and decorative works connected to Takamatsu’s historic garden culture.
• Sanuki woodcraft and furniture – simple, functional wooden wares shaped with clarity and durability.
• Local textiles and dyeing – small workshop traditions tied to regional daily life and ceremonial clothing.