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'''Clarity''' – Information must be presented in a clear and readable way.   
* '''Clarity''' – Information must be presented in a clear and readable way.   
'''Accuracy''' – Every statement must be fact-checked using authoritative sources.   
* '''Accuracy''' – Every statement must be fact-checked using authoritative sources.   
'''Neutrality''' – Articles must avoid promotional or biased language.   
* '''Neutrality''' – Articles must avoid promotional or biased language.   
'''Consistency''' – All portals must follow the same article structure.   
* '''Consistency''' – All portals must follow the same article structure.   
'''Respect for Cultural Heritage''' – Terminology and descriptions must treat all cultural traditions with care.
* '''Respect for Cultural Heritage''' – Terminology and descriptions must treat all cultural traditions with care.


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== Article Structure Template ==
== Article Structure Template ==
Each Craftpedia article about a craft tradition should follow the standard structure.   
Each Craftpedia article about a craft tradition should follow the standard structure.   

Latest revision as of 07:20, 29 November 2025

This document defines the standard structure, tone, and formatting rules for all Craftpedia articles about traditional crafts and artisanal techniques. It applies to every language and every regional portal.

The purpose of this guide is to ensure that all Craftpedia articles are consistent, academically reliable, and easy to read, while remaining compatible with machine-assisted translation workflows.

Purpose of This Guide

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The Craftpedia Article Style Guide establishes:

  • the required structure for articles;
  • the preferred writing tone;
  • formatting conventions;
  • category rules;
  • image usage guidelines;
  • cross-language consistency rules.

Every article in Craftpedia must follow this structure unless a portal adopts a more detailed local standard.

General Principles

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Craftpedia articles must follow these principles:

  • Clarity – Information must be presented in a clear and readable way.
  • Accuracy – Every statement must be fact-checked using authoritative sources.
  • Neutrality – Articles must avoid promotional or biased language.
  • Consistency – All portals must follow the same article structure.
  • Respect for Cultural Heritage – Terminology and descriptions must treat all cultural traditions with care.

Article Structure Template

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Each Craftpedia article about a craft tradition should follow the standard structure. Sections may be expanded, but not removed.

Lead / Introduction

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A short summary (2–4 sentences) that includes:

  • the name of the craft (English name + original language form if relevant);
  • the craft’s origin or region;
  • the main materials and techniques;
  • its cultural significance.

The introduction must not contain detailed history or long lists.

Example:

Arita ware (有田焼, Arita-yaki) is a Japanese porcelain tradition developed in the early 17th century in Saga Prefecture. It is known for its refined white clay, cobalt-blue underglaze painting, and strong export influence on European ceramics.

Historical Background

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Covers:

  • origins (century, founders, influences);
  • key historical phases;
  • political, economic, or cultural context;
  • periods of innovation or decline.

This section may refer to historical periods (e.g., Edo period, Qing dynasty, Joseon era).

Materials

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Describes:

  • raw materials (clays, woods, metals, pigments, fibers);
  • their geographic sources;
  • preparation methods (refining, filtering, alloying, softening).

If relevant, describe regional variations.

Techniques

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Explains:

  • primary production process (step-by-step overview);
  • specialized techniques (casting, weaving, throwing, carving, lacquering);
  • unique or characteristic methods.

This section should be factual, not instructional.

Tools and Equipment

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(Required only if relevant)

Includes:

  • traditional tools (e.g., bamboo brushes, kick wheels, chisels);
  • specialized equipment (kilns, looms, furnaces).

Regional Variations

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Describes differences across:

  • prefectures or provinces;
  • villages or workshops;
  • regional schools or styles.

Each variation should be clearly marked with a subheading.

Cultural and Ritual Significance

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(Required only if applicable)

Explains:

  • symbolic meaning;
  • ritual or ceremonial uses;
  • social status associated with the craft;
  • relevance in traditional events or beliefs.

Modern Developments

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Covers:

  • contemporary artists and studios;
  • revival efforts;
  • museum collections;
  • international influence;
  • integration into modern design or industry.

Notable Objects or Types

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A curated list of representative object forms connected to the craft.

Examples:

  • flower vases
  • incense burners
  • sake cups
  • sword fittings

Each item may link to its own article if available.

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Images must follow:

  • preference for museum and open-licensed photographs;
  • prohibition of AI-generated images (see Media & Image Usage Policy);
  • proper licensing (CC, open access collections);
  • accurate and neutral captions.

References

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Every article must include:

  • academic publications,
  • museum catalogues,
  • archaeological reports,
  • authoritative dictionaries,
  • peer-reviewed sources.

Websites may be included if reputable (museums, universities, cultural institutions).

Category Section

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Articles must include:

Mandatory categories
  • a domain category such as [[Category:Ceramics]], [[Category:Metalwork]], etc.
  • one or more geographical categories (country, region, prefecture)
  • a historical period category when clearly applicable
Optional categories (when applicable)
  • period categories (e.g. [[Category:Edo period]])
  • [[Category:Religious objects]]
  • [[Category:Domestic objects]]
  • [[Category:Sword objects]]
  • technique or subfamily categories (e.g. [[Category:Porcelain]], [[Category:Stoneware]], [[Category:Bronze casting]])

Categories must follow the naming conventions defined in the Category System Specification.

Writing Tone and Style

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  • Use a neutral, academic tone similar to museum catalog descriptions.
  • Avoid subjective adjectives (e.g., “beautiful,” “magnificent,” “stunning”).
  • Avoid speculative statements.
  • Prefer short, clear sentences.
  • Introduce Japanese, Chinese, or other local terms with transliteration on first use.

Example:

Correct

“The technique uses iron-rich clay sourced from the local river basin.”

Incorrect

“This amazing technique beautifully uses clay from the area.”

Terminology Rules

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Craft Names

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  • English name first
  • Local name second (script + transliteration)

Example: Imari ware (伊万里焼, Imari-yaki)

Transliteration

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Follow ISO or widely accepted museum standards:

  • Japanese: Hepburn
  • Chinese: Hanyu Pinyin
  • Korean: Revised Romanization

Historical Periods

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Always use standardized English period names:

  • Edo period
  • Meiji period
  • Ming dynasty
  • Joseon dynasty

Image Use and Caption Style

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Captions must:

  • describe the object factually;
  • include century or approximate date;
  • include material and technique if known;
  • credit museums or sources when needed.

Example: “Porcelain bowl with underglaze blue decoration, Edo period (18th century). Arita ware. Image: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.”

Common Errors to Avoid

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  • mixing historical facts with modern interpretations;
  • using inconsistent transliteration;
  • overloading the introduction with details;
  • missing categories;
  • not citing sources;
  • using subjective or promotional language;
  • describing personal opinions.

Version History

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  • 1.1 – Replaced “craft article” with “Craftpedia article” and “article about a craft tradition”
  • 1.0 – Initial release (English)