Japan has a lot of unique arts and crafts, many of which were developed during the Edo period (1603-1868) of sakoku (self-isolation), when there was very limited foreign influence on Japan.

It’s also fair to say that perfectionists thrive in Japan - this is a country that uses upwards of 5,000 characters in its writing system. The education system needs to be well structured and organised to teach the populace how to read and write their own language - it’s not just a simple case of learning and using 26 letters!

And just as the education system is well structured and organised, Japanese people who go through it successfully are similarly well structured and organised, as is society as a whole.

Striving for perfection then, is important in Japanese society, and this has shown through in tradional arts & crafts, and even the martial arts.