The 1930s had seen increasing rejection of western influence, followed by great deprivation and hardship. Post 1945 the annual art exhibition nevertheless continued - renamed the Nitten. The designation of Living National Treasures was established to ensure continuation of the traditional craft skills. By the 1950s new artistic groups were emerging. All were now freely exposed to western culture and the international art movement. While some sought to rebuild on tradition, others followed an avant-garde path. Whatever the creative direction, the innate excellence of craft technique was rarely compromised.

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