living treasures of japan

[maninhat]

sooo...this is probably going to be a pretty vague post...but anyway today in my japanese class we watched national geographic documentary on the "living treaures of japan." (it looked like it was from the 90's if any of you have seen it) but anyway, it was really awesome. it depicted a bunch of artisans and craftsman who have been recognized by the japanese government as "national treasures." I can't remember their names, but an example of some of the crafts it showed: bunraku puppeteer, papermaker, tea bowl maker (pottery maker), swordmaker, doll maker, koto player, and a few others. sooo do any of you have any more information on these types of crafts?

[JBaymore]

maninhat,

I guess the question here is, "what do you want to know?"

I'm a professional potter, professor of ceramics, and have spent a bit of time in Japan making pots, exhibiting, building kilns, and doing stuff like being a "guest lecturer" (ie.-Gedai, Tokyo). So my particular viewpoint and understanding is from the western end of things with a little bit of a "view West from the East".

best,

................john