Traditional Crafts
Noto peninsula earthquake marks second anniversary amid ongoing challenges
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Two years after the January 1, 2024, Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which caused 698 deaths across three prefectures, about 18,000 people remain in temporary housing in Ishikawa Prefecture. While infrastructure restoration progresses, challenges like population outflow and aging hinder full recovery. In Wajima, production of traditional lacquerware continues in trailer houses.
Despite the rapidly shrinking number of blademakers in Japan, katana swords are gaining a new generation of fans, particularly younger women, fueled by pop culture influences. Video games and anime are driving this resurgence.
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A media preview in Gifu City illuminated nearly 100 traditional umbrellas on Friday, ahead of the event's official start the next day. Projection mapping displayed flower images on the ground, highlighting one of the city's crafts. The evening event begins Saturday at Gifu Park and runs through February 1.