Old Kyoto shops project
Introduction
 Since 2003 during my regular visits to Japan, Akiko Nakamura and I have been researching the status of surviving old shops and trades in three areas of Kyoto city where the traditional chonin (the artists, craftsmen and traders) used to work. All cities would have specific areas where certain trades took place, whether a textile producing area, dry goods and pharmaceuticals, fresh food and produce, artisans and craftsmen making lacquer ware, Buddhist statuary, woodblock prints and so on. We are compiling a survey of some of these individual traders and craftspeople in Kyoto as an example of the skills and products that will become ever more scarce as modern techniques and processes overtake the traditional methods of production.  This is not an exhaustive survey, but our project aims to preserve the fact of the existence of these traditional traders while they are still present, and record their stories and working life for future generations who would otherwise not know of them. The project is on-going and to date we have surveyed around one hundred shops and trades, many of which have already closed or are about to close. The information we are collating will be published with additional visuals and video links when these become available. For more information please contact: SUZANNE PERRINIndependent Research Lecturer AKIKO NAKAMURAKyoto Guide & Researcher |
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