Pottery

Tsunehide Shimabukuro, a 77-year-old potter in Yomitan, Okinawa, upholds the Tsuboya ware tradition using a climbing kiln. Designated in 2025 as a holder of Okinawa Prefecture's important intangible cultural property, he hand-paints chrysanthemum arabesque patterns from the Ryukyu Kingdom era with Japanese brushes and operates a kick-wheel inherited from his father. Facing dwindling resources, he remains committed to cherishing the craft.