Mastering The Art Of The Kimono

The kimono may be one of Japan's most enduring cultural symbols, but the kimono industry is now in steep decline, and soon there could be no craftsmen left with the skills to make them.

BBC Japan Correspondent Roland Buerk reports on the crisis in the industry, and the efforts being made to ensure ancient skills are not lost.

Producer: Ruth Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.

Japan: Roland Buerk explores why the kimono industry in Japan is in steep decline.