Culture Kawara (瓦): The Traditional Japanese Roof Tile Few elements are as characteristic of traditional Japanese architecture as the tiled roof. From Buddhist temples to Shinto shrines and historic homes, the curves and layered surfaces of kawara (瓦) have shaped the look of Japanese buildings for centuries. But kawara are more than roofing. Their forms, decorations and symbols
Culture Otagi Nenbutsu-ji: The Temple Where Anyone Could Become a Sculptor 1,200 stone statues. 1,200 different pairs of hands. One hillside in Kyoto, somewhere that feels less like a temple and more like a gathering. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is home to 1,200 stone statues of Rakan, the disciples of Buddha. They sit scattered across a mossy hillside beneath
Culture The Ancient Craft of Kakishibu: Japan's Liquid Gold of Natural Dyeing Made from the fermented juice of unripe green persimmons, kakishibu is one of Japan's most patient natural dyes. Discover how it is made, why the sun helps create its color and why Japanese denim makers love it.
