Shokunin:A Journey Through Japan's Traditional Craft Workshops

Shokunin:A Journey Through Japan's Traditional Craft Workshops, an emaculate work on Japanese craft by Ben Richards.

Japan is home to some of the world’s most treasured 'Shokunin'. Literally translating to ‘artisan’ or ‘craftsperson’ in English, the Japanese meaning runs much deeper. A true Shokunin is someone who dedicates their life to mastering their craft; it’s a rejection of mass-produced standardisation and a personal responsibility to preserve their traditions for future generations.

Shokunin proudly features 25 intimate artisan profiles, from family-run ceramic studios in Fukuoka, to a female-focused glass studio in Chiba and ceremonial lantern-makers practicing for more than 50 years in Tohoku. Some of the artisans in this book hold firmly to old ways, while others innovate with new forms and ideas, breathing new life into historic practices. Each conversation is an insight into a life devoted to making and encourage you to appreciate these long-standing practices and to travel deeper into the regions where these legacies remain.

Shokunin is for culturally curious travellers who want to explore with intention, gaining access to regions, workshops and traditions often missed by typical travel itineraries. It’s for people who actively seek out authentic cultural experiences, guided by local insights and personal connection.

Author/photographer Ben Richards moved to Tokyo in early 2019, and quickly became obsessed with Japan’s timeless craft rituals. From mask-makers in Kyoto’s suburbs to indigo dyers in the mountains of Gifu, each time he entered a workshop he felt as though he was stepping into another world entirely. Over more than 6 years, Ben has travelled extensively across Japan with his camera, meeting the artisans and learning more about their personal stories. Regularly partnering with national tourism boards and cultural organisations across Japan, Ben has shared these rare stories to a growing global audience.