【What is Higo Zogan (Higo Inlay)?】 Higo Zogan, a representative traditional craft of Kumamoto, began when Hosokawa Sansai, the feudal lord of the Higo domain, invited the swordsmith Hirata Hikozo from Omi Province to create weaponry. For over three hundred years since then, it has been cherished by the samurai class, with unique designs applied to sword guards, kozuka (small knife handles), and other items. Today, it is known as a local art craft, and is now expanding into new fields such as fashion and interior design as ZOGAN.