For others of like interest, NHKOnline is an ever-growing and fantastic collection of videos in English (or at least subtitled) that showcase Japan's fascinating sub-cultures, many of them craft-oriented.

Our favorite is "Design Stories" (which used to be "Design Talks Plus") that features many such fantastic Japanese crafspeople. Our family hasn't missed an episode in quite a few years.

And, of course, there is the Canadian resident of Japan, David Bull, who does traditional wood-block prints in the style of the magnificent Hokusai. His attention to detail in his work is inspiring to us as well.