Yame City in Fukuoka Prefecture is known for various kinds of Japan’s traditional handicrafts.

Yame City lying in the south of Fukuoka Prefecture, where is the middle reaches of two big rivers, has enjoyed prosperity thanks to the agricultural products from fertile farmland.  About 300 Kofun ancient burial mounds built in the 6^th century were found in the vicinity. This signifies the presence of a big local forces independent from the central government in the present time Nara Prefecture.  Actually, they rose a full-scale rebellion called Iwai-no-Ran against the then Emperor in the ancient time.  In the Edo period, the 17^th to 19^th century, thereafter, they started to cultivate rice, green tea, fruits, flowers and the likes.  The locals could enjoy economic prosperity from the harvest and handicraft manufacturing making the most of the agricultural products.  The main handicrafts are washi (Japanese paper), kasuri(cloth with splashed patterns), chochin (paper lantern), butsudan (Buddhist family altar) and matcha (powdered tea).  The traditional wooden buildings for domestic industry as well as wholesalers for these handicrafts stand side by side in the old quarter in the city as shown in the photos.  Some of them are converted into restaurants and hotels leaving their original exterior.

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