the story

While Japanese pop culture has taken the world by storm, traditional arts and crafts are facing a perilous decline. As the country’s population ages and shrinks, many artisans find themselves without successors. To revitalize ancient techniques from Japan, young artists and craftsmen around the globe find new ways of honoring tradition in a contemporary setting.

Shokunin: Japanese Arts and Crafts Across Borders is a documentary series comprised of  10 standalone episodes. Each instalment explores a different art or craft, weaving together tales of shamisen making, kimono dressing, wood joinery, tattoo by hand, and more. Shokunin takes a deep dive into Japanese heritage from an outsider’s view, allowing audiences to see Japan with fresh eyes.