Higo Inlay Strap Making Experience in Kumamoto
Higo Inlay Kosuke: 3 Chome-2-1 Shinmachi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 860-0004, Japan
- Experience crafting unique straps using Higo inlay, the art that adorned sword guards for art-loving Kumamoto samurai
- Explore the art directly passed down by the fourth-generation craftsman, inheriting the ancestral Higo inlay technique
- Learn about Higo inlay's history from the skilled craftsmen
What to expect
Unlike a sword that disappears within its sheath, the tsuba (sword guard) remains visible and was cherished by samurai as a fashion statement. Hosokawa, a military commander with a deep love for art, gathered tsuba craftsmen from across the country, leading to the development of Higo inlays that adorned sword accessories, originating in Kumamoto
During that era, tsuba's popularity was so profound that it became known as the essence of Higo (now Kumamoto). Mr. Osumi, the 4th generation of Mitsusuke, continued his ancestral legacy as a blacksmith, preserving the Higo inlay technique
Embrace the opportunity to craft your unique Higo inlay piece under the guidance of Mr. Osumi!
Experience creating traditional Kumamoto crafts under the guidance of a skilled professional
The traditional craft of Higo inlay involves engraving intricate designs into iron and then inlaying them with silver or gold
Mr. Osumi, the 4th generation of Mitsusuke, upheld the Higo inlay technique, continuing the family's blacksmithing legacy
Good to know
- Please choose 1 from the following 4 patterns to experience at the checkout page (1) Round floral pattern (2) Kuyou crest (3) Kumamoto Castle (4) Kumamon (mascot for Kumamoto Prefecture)
Contact us
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