In Photos: Traditional Tokyo broom shop proving it can handle modern lifestyles
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Traditional Edo brooms, which use rare domestically grown grass deemed the highest quality, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Junichi Takano, of Edo broom shop Shirokiya Denbe, speaks about the sense of abundance that one gains from using the same tool until it is well worn, including Edo brooms which last well over 10 years, in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Shirokiya Denbe craftsman Ryosuke Kanbara is seen making a traditional Edo broom in the shop's workspace in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Grass stems are woven one by one to create a traditional broom at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. The hokimorokoshi grass, which had been soaked in water since morning, do not break even when fastened tightly with string. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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A craftsman demonstrates how to use an Edo broom at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. Brooms with long handles should be held at a right angle, as the bristles are made so they sweep parallel with the floor. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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A craftsman demonstrates how to use an Edo broom at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. Brooms with short handles should be held so that users' arms and the brooms' handles form a straight line. The bristles are cut so that the end forms a diagonal line. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Traditional Edo brooms, which use rare domestically grown grass deemed the highest quality, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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A standard Edo broom, right, and one with an alternative form, left, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. The latter is made lighter by creating hollow sections. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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"Harimi" Japanese washi paper dustpans are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Brooms and a scrubbing brush made of hemp palm are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Mini brooms made of hemp palm and the bark of a hemp palm tree are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Scrubbing brushes made of palm, left, and hemp palm, right, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. The hemp palm brushes are said to be firm and drain well. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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"Hataki" dusters made of silk and black bamboo are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. The silk removes dust without stirring up dust particles. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Mini brooms, which can be used as tools that double as decor, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Shirokiya Denbe craftsman Ryosuke Kanbara is seen making a traditional Edo broom in the shop's workspace in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Shirokiya Denbe craftsman Ryosuke Kanbara is seen making a traditional Edo broom in the shop's workspace in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Shirokiya Denbe craftsman Ryosuke Kanbara is seen making a traditional Edo broom in the shop's workspace in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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Shirokiya Denbe craftsman Ryosuke Kanbara is seen making a traditional Edo broom in the shop's workspace in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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"Hokimorokoshi" grass, which is similar to corn, is seen before harvest in this image provided by Shirokiya Denbe.
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Dried "hokimorokoshi" grass, whose stems are used to create brooms, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. The black grains are threshed and planted the next year. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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"Hokimorokoshi" grass stems, which were handpicked one by one, based on thickness, firmness, and color, among other factors, are seen at Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Oct. 6, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)
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This Dec. 13, 2019 file photo shows Shinto priests and priestesses performing a cleaning ritual using "hataki" dusters and bamboo grass brooms at Ikuta Shrine in Kobe's Chuo Ward. (Mainichi/Koji Minemoto)