Textiles are vital to modern day-to-day life. Here are four companies that draw on more than half a century of experience to produce everything from silk to high-end yarn.

From money to sliding doors, traditional Japanese paper can be seen all over the country. And one company in Tottori Prefecture has been a leader in making beautiful, natural and even eco-friendly materials.

These memo blocks and drawing pads are so good they garnered a Good Design Award and have been featured in the UK's Monocle Magazine.

Make playtime a little cleaner with dustless chalk made from scallop shells, and crayons that can draw on windows and then wash off like the art was never there!

Made in Osaka, these next-level pencil and makeup sharpeners boast of being 'light as an apple peel, sharp as a samurai sword.' Try them out to be sure!