The eastern mountains once hosted many climbing kilns, attracting scores of potters. Kyo-yaki pottery evolved in its diversity for use in cooking and tea ceremonies. Modern potters uphold the old ideals while creating fresh works. One potter uses scissors to adorn her work with floral designs. One produces ceramics for use in construction. Another creates nouveau pieces based on research into a classical style. Discover how potters propel their craft into the future, unbound by tradition.

Verdant, furry moss, of which there are some 1800 varieties, has the power to fascinate. Moss makes a literary appearance in an early-10th-century poem. Later a culture revolving around moss appreciation evolved through the influence of Zen and the Way of Tea's aesthetic concept of "refined and rustic." During the pandemic, moss is enjoying a comeback, and people are finding solace in moss terrariums and other interior items. Discover the complex yet delicate beauty of this lush greenery.

Wire netting techniques originated over 1,000 years ago in netting to repel birds and religious altar fittings and treasures, such as sutra receptacles. The intricate geometrical patterns can only be created by hand. Today the craft is mostly used in cooking utensils. Kyoto once had 30 workshops, but a handful remain in operation. Discover the world of wire netting through the efforts of a father-son team looking to keep the traditional craft alive through revolutionary advances in technology.