In a once-booming whaling community in the northeast, an artisan has managed to keep alive a whale-tooth crafting tradition after his store was destroyed by the mega-quake and tsunami in 2011.
Carver Masayuki Chijimatsu, 65, now sells seals and accessories made from the teeth of sperm whales at a temporary shop in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. Given Japan's controversial decision to resume commercial whaling in July for the first time in about 30 years, he hopes the renewed attention will breathe life into his community.
One seal can be made from the central part of each tooth, a chunk about 20 cm long and 10 cm in diameter, Chijimatsu said. A seal and holding case cost at least ¥54,000 ($480).