Hiroyuki Watanabe studied the craft of Urushi ( Japanese lacquer) during his undergraduate years before receiving his masters degree in Industrial Arts from the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts. He has since been teaching, holding workshops on woodcraft and authored a book, while also producing and exhibiting his handmade utensils and tableware. See  Hiroyuki [...]

After completing his studies in philosophy, Urushi (lacquerware) artist Akito Akagi worked as an editor for kateigaho magazine where he wrote about art and design. Encounters with lacquer masters Azuma Hideo and Kado Isaburô inspired him to pursue his interest in the craft and he began an apprenticeship with the lacquer master Okamoto Susumu. Akagi [...]

Magewappa is one of the most beautiful examples of traditional Japanese woodcraft. Akita cedar from 200-year-old trees is stripped, boiled, bent and tied together with bark from cherry trees. Only Akita cedars over 100 hundred years old, which have survived the very severe weather conditions of northern Japan, can be bent in the manufacturing process. [...]

Atushi Honda ( Kobo Isado) uses a variety of repurposed woods to produce his simple, beautifully textured cutting boards. We also love his little wooden houses and plan to have some in the shop this autumn.

Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to carry clothes, gifts, or other goods. The name which literally means “bath spread”, derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while bathing at the sento (public baths). These days Furoshiki are seen as an environmentally friendly, [...]

black glaze and ash glaze cups from sfera yunomi (teacup) ¥2,000 cup and saucer ¥3,400 available here

Beautifully shaped hand turned bowls in natural oak by Kihachi studio. Kihachi is the oldest producer of wood products in the Yamanaka region of Japan, long famous for its exquisite lacquerware. The perfect, thin forms are created on a rokuro (electric wheel), a technique Kihachi’s craftsmen have mastered over six generations. dimensions: dia11.0cm H7.0cm ¥3,500 [...]