Biz Stream S2019E08 - Tradition Meets Modern! The Revival of Japanese Crafts

The production level of Japanese traditional crafts has been dropping since the 1980's and is now less than 20% of what it was at its peak. However, recently there has been a movement to revive and preserve these classic skills and products through innovation and adaptation. Young artisans from Kyoto Prefecture with various backgrounds in traditional crafts have formed a unique group that is looking to give new life to their old skills by creating products with a modern twist. From creating furniture using ancient weaving techniques to collaborating with a university and making use of its imaging analysis technology, this episode shows how traditional crafts are evolving in order to stay relevant.