Category:Shikoku Region

Shikoku (四国地方) is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, located to the south of Honshū across the Seto Inland Sea. The region is known for its mountainous interior, coastal fishing communities, and the historic 88-temple pilgrimage route associated with Kūkai (Kōbō-Daishi), which continues to shape local religious and cultural identity.

Shikoku’s craft culture is closely tied to its natural environment. The island’s steep forested slopes provide hardwoods for woodworking and tools, while its river systems historically supported some of Japan’s most renowned washi papermaking traditions. Indigo, cultivated primarily in Tokushima, gave rise to deep-blue dyeing techniques that remain central to Shikoku’s artisanal identity. Local pottery styles also developed in workshop centers influenced by trade and monastic culture.

Although Shikoku has historically been less urbanized than neighboring regions, this contributed to the preservation of strong local craft lineages and community-based workshops. Contemporary artisan networks continue to maintain these traditions, balancing heritage with adaptation.

Shikoku Region consists of four prefectures:

• Tokushima Prefecture
• Kagawa Prefecture
• Ehime Prefecture
• Kōchi Prefecture

• Major center of traditional indigo dyeing (藍染, aizome) in Tokushima.
• Historical paper-making regions supported by river basins.
• Distinct pottery and woodworking workshops with local material sources.
• Cultural identity influenced by pilgrimage routes and temple networks.

• Location: Southwestern part of the Japanese archipelago
• Landscape: Mountainous interior, coastal plains, river valleys
• Major cities: Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Kōchi

• Japanese Regions
• Indigo Dyeing in Tokushima
• Shikoku Pilgrimage