How Japan’s Wajima-nuri Artisans Are Bouncing Back After the Earthquake

Yahoo! News - Mar 14th, 2025
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In response to the devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck Japan's Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024, the city of Kanazawa has emerged as a beacon of support for displaced artisans. The quake, which claimed over 400 lives and destroyed numerous buildings, severely impacted the traditional craft of Wajima-nuri lacquerware, among others. Many artisans, including Suzanne Ross, have relocated to Kanazawa, where the city offers subsidies up to ¥500,000 for setting up new studios, along with other financial supports like waived fees for exhibiting in Tokyo's Ginza no Kanazawa gallery. Such initiatives have encouraged artisans to rebuild their businesses, contributing to the preservation and continuation of Japan's rich craft heritage.

Kanazawa's commitment to fostering the arts is steeped in history, dating back to the 16th century. Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler for its inclusive approach, the city is promoting local crafts through programs like Ichigo Ichie, which connects tourists with artisans, thereby boosting the local economy. Figures like Koichi Ofuji and Takahiro Taya are central to these efforts, driving initiatives for creative reconstruction and tourism integration. The earthquake highlighted pre-existing challenges facing the craft industry, and Kanazawa's interventions are crucial in ensuring the survival and evolution of these cultural traditions, making the city a pivotal player in Japan's cultural recovery and innovation landscape.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and engaging account of the impact of the 2024 earthquake on the Noto Peninsula and the efforts to preserve the traditional craft of Wajima-nuri. It is timely and relevant, addressing issues of cultural preservation and disaster recovery that resonate with a broad audience. The story is well-structured and clearly written, with a balance of personal narratives and broader community perspectives. However, it could benefit from greater transparency in source attribution and verification of some key figures. Overall, the article effectively highlights the resilience of the artisan community and the importance of cultural heritage in the face of adversity.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the earthquake on the Noto Peninsula and its impact on the local artisan community. The factual claims, such as the magnitude of the earthquake, the support provided by Kanazawa, and the personal stories of artisans like Suzanne Ross and Koichi Ofuji, are largely consistent with available sources. However, the exact magnitude of the earthquake is slightly disputed (reported as 7.5 elsewhere), and the number of deaths and buildings destroyed needs further verification. The subsidy details and Kanazawa's arts spending figures align with the story but require confirmation from official sources to ensure precision. Overall, while the article is generally accurate, some key figures and claims need further corroboration.

8
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the situation by presenting multiple perspectives, including those of artisans like Suzanne Ross and Koichi Ofuji, as well as insights into the broader community impact and governmental responses. It highlights both the challenges and the resilience of the artisans, offering a comprehensive picture of the post-earthquake scenario. However, it could benefit from including perspectives from local government officials or other stakeholders involved in the recovery efforts. Overall, the story maintains a fair balance between personal narratives and broader community issues.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the narrative. The language is accessible and engaging, making complex topics like traditional crafts and disaster recovery easy to understand. The use of personal stories adds depth and human interest, enhancing the overall clarity of the piece. However, some technical details, such as the specifics of the subsidies or the exact impact of the earthquake, could be more clearly explained to ensure complete comprehension by a general audience.

6
Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including personal accounts from affected artisans and references to reports like the one from Nikkei. However, it lacks direct citations or links to these sources, which could enhance the credibility and reliability of the information presented. The absence of direct quotes from official sources or government representatives also slightly diminishes the authority of the reporting. Including a wider variety of sources, such as local news outlets or government statements, would strengthen the article's source quality.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context for the claims made, such as the historical significance of Wajima-nuri and the impact of the earthquake. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology and source attribution, as it does not clearly indicate where the information was obtained from or how the figures were derived. The absence of explicit references to data sources or official statements limits the transparency of the reporting. Greater disclosure of sources and methodologies would improve the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims made in the article.

Sources

  1. https://theworld.org/stories/2024/06/18/lacquerware-artisans-are-still-displaced-by-earthquake-in-japan
  2. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto-peninsula-earthquake/20250109-232278/
  3. https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/wajimanuri/
  4. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/japanese/en/article/a-year-after-the-quake-this-australian-chef-is-working-to-restore-local-culture-in-japans-noto-peninsula/oh3sk2lsi
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wajima-nuri