Sorry Cory, Eric is right.

I tried to give them copies of bank statements and filled out all the forms and they rejected them.
They wanted original bank statements in my name.

If you have income from outside Japan they want to see income statements from registered companies or rental agreements or whatever in YOUR NAME.

Doesn't matter who fills out forms or writes letters in your country - they mean nothing to the Japanese government.
They are strict and pedantic about rules.

Ikibana or bonsai students would need to have studied a western equivalent in their own countries.

Letters saying you did some martial arts would not do it unless they were from a recognized school saying you practiced regularly for a number of years and achieved a reasonable rank.
Websites and garments wont help either.

I know how you are feeling, I hit a lot of walls trying to get work visas before I took the other route.

They are super strict and everything must be proper and by the book.
Maybe too many dodgy gaijin have come here over the years and it has made them cautious - I don't know.

And yes, without the degree or AT LEAST 3 years teaching at a real school, you cant get the working visa either.

You may need to settle for some 2-3 months holidays here now and again, sorry friend.