Miyajima/Kanazawa
 

Just wondering if anyone out there has purchased any wood carvings in Miyajima
island. If so, are the prices outrageous or
are there things for every budget? Do they have nice pieces or just tourist
trinkets?

I am also going to Kanazawa, can anyone
suggest what souveniers they have other
than gold leafing.

Thanks in advance.

I have lived in Kanazawa for the past 9 years. The area around Kanazawa is well known for crafts...we buy a lot of things for gifts and a bit for ourselves too. You already know about gold leaf. There is beautiful ceramic ware known as Kutani yaki, Paulonia wood trays and bowls, Wajima and Yamanaka laquerware...Yamanaka is the largest lacquerware producer in Japan, and it's said to be alll hand done. There are various small items, like origami figures put together into simple balanced displays or mobiles, balls of various sizes made by wrapping colorful thread round and round and somehow ending up perfectly round and with a beautiful design. And more. There is lots to choose from. The Daiwa department store (basement) and M'Za (5th floor I think) department store both have a sampling of just about everything. There are many shops in the area around Kenrokuen and Kohrinbo and Katamachi. Shop around...some shops have much nicer things than others. There is a "craft center" just below Kenrokuen, but I've never bought there.,,I actually prefer the smaller shops.

I've been twice to Miyajima, but never looked to buy anything there other than the momiji monju (maple leafed shaped cakes with various types of fillling like bean paste, apple jam, custard, chocolate...delicious). On the tourist shopping street we saw some wood things like rice scoops, a little leather, lots of inexpensive souvenir type things with Miyajima written on them. If you are looking to buy something nicer than simple souvenirs you may be best to inquire at your hotel/ryokan as to where to find what you are looking for.

Prices usually (though not always) reflect quality in Japan. There is a deeply engrained belief that inexpensive = poor quality. Most of the time, that means that poor quality items are overpriced, and good quality items are quite fairly priced (at least in my experience).

If you plan on purchasing items like carvings, lacquerware or high grade ceramic you'd do well to do a bit of research on your own before shopping to get an idea of what points to look for as well as price range, and to look around several shops before buying.

Thanks very kindly for your detailed
information. I have taken notes and appreciate you taking time to respond.

GTL: I don't know when you are going to Miyajima, but I am reading on other sites that there has been much damage to Miyajima from a recent typhoon. See: www.miyajima.or.jp/miyakan2 Apparently, Itsukushima Shrine sustained damage and is closed at present. Not sure exactly what the situation is otherwise, but thought I'd pass that on.

emd

I was not aware of this. I really appreciate the input. I will check
into it. I am leaving right before mid
November. Hope it'll be o.k. by then.

GTL: check your other post called "Shopping in Kyoto"-- I am going to post something for your question on shopping for textiles.

Eileen