Hands-on with Japanese Paper, Cabinets, and Knives

I visited Echizen, a small city 75 minutes by train from Kyoto. It had none of the crowds but a lot of the traditional culture, from handcrafted paper (washi), to cabinets (tansu), to knives (hamono). The shokunin's dedication to these traditional Japanese crafts was inspiring to see, all the more so when you try yourself and get a glimpse of what it takes.

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[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

The mix of having both Buddhist and Shinto design elements can make a building very beautiful and appealing to look at

[cathybenson]

I love the cabinets with the secret compartments. 😊

[Nimeariel]

I think it's so cool that Japan seems to encourage hands-on learning, or at least extensive demonstrations of its many crafts, products, and even general professions to the general public. I don't know if there are many places in the US that would even allow someone to get up-close and personal with some of these things that you've shown without first acquiring a ton of permissions and security checks and hours of training. At least, that's what you hint at when you say that your children could come along (or do come along) and that many of the places you visit offer public tours, audience participation, and/or workshops in many of the locations you've shown. It boggles my mind that they are so willing to share their "secrets" and arts with the rest of the public world so openly and yet other places keep it so secret and special that it's only for "professionals" to handle or do or make. Or, they aren't even open to the public to even come see- they're "employees only" places. Way to go Japan!!!

[imperialphoenix]

Where I'm from, I work in a wood shop where we make hand-carved Carousels! Much of the carousel is made with modern forging techniques, laser cutting out the metal. The horses and the animals, as well as the facade and other decorative elements, are still carved and made by hand. I work in the paint department, where all the artwork, as well as the animals, chariots and parts of the decorations are painted all by hand. No air brush! It's really great knowing that I'm doing something with my hands that other people get to enjoy.

[AndyJapandy]

Man, these are the types of videos I want to make when I get back to Tokyo next week! Love the craftsmanship of everything!

[Vinya]

I visited an exchange student friend in Okinawa when I was 17 and her family took me to a really neat Okinawan village where we used a loom to make a small craft and we made burnt sugar (I can't remember what the translation is off the top of my head). It was so much fun and reminded me a lot of a place we used to go in grade school in Indiana where we could watch horseshoes being made and we could make our own candles. Getting the invitation and opportunity take part in these traditions is always so special!

[jasonyasumoto]

Great video. It is true the younger generation is not as umm, eager to work the "traditional ways" of their grandparents on back. This was very interesting, places and these master craftsmen, who only do one thing extremely well, is for me, fascinating to hear them explain their craft. Thanks for doing this video.

[shinozsnow]

The cabinets were beautiful. The shrine was gorgeous. The garden looked serene. The paper was fascinating. Thank you so much for showing us this!

[llama-chi]

thank you so much for introducing my city! this looks much interesting :-))))
I love the culture and arts in my city!

[TheJohn]

I have a VG-10 japanese knife and it kicks the crap out of my various European knives both in terms of edge sharpness and retention. Japanese laminated steel is *incredible* and I'd heartily recommend it to anyone that needs a precise tool. Well worth the cost, imo.

[XCerykX]

Not really sure about where I live now. Used to be my school, they offer a whole list of workshops in the summer. I moved though, so the area is new to me. My family will be offering blacksmithing and jewelry making classes when we get our studios set up... Know we have some people that offer katana making workshops over on the other side of the mountain. But other than that, not sure what else is in my area.

[lunalunalune]

I love the look of them and even more because of the secrets

[Acquavallo]

Well, I'm convinced. I'll make sure to go to Echizen next time I go to Japan.

[Osprey]

Every time I watch a video from your channel or one of the other wonderful channels I follow it makes me miss Japan. The time I had there was incredible and it made me fall more in love with the country I had grown up wanting to visit. It's funny because I was worried that I might be let down before I made the trip, but luckily it surpassed my expectations even inside the limits of a planned tour group that was mostly so my father didn't have to worry about getting around even though I found navigation pretty straightforward (inside cities at least).

[BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I so want one of those cabinets! Those are amazing.

[lakaidominick]

omg.. lol Jun was n the video.. ive been watching booth of these channels for soo long

[lauset]

Thank you for another well-made video. Cheers

[mikowaifuvlogz]

WOHOOAAAH O': IM SERIOUSLY AMAZED!! this video was so relaxing watching them show how they make cabinets and papers and just so relaxing! Thanks dude! This really helped me calm my mind before bed !!

[yamigekusu]

I remember seeing something like them cabinets in Onimusha 2 when you have to unlock a secret basement area of Jubei's house. That's pretty neat

[AaronSpielman]

Sigh. Another place to visit on my ever growing list.