Old Journal

Art Meets Travel: Two Days in Bizen Ware's Namesake City

Explore three Okayama cultural hotspots with Team Musubi in the birthplace of stunning Japanese pottery called Bizen ware.

Hidden Gems of Kutani Ware: A Visit to Komatsu City's Artisans

On a tranquil December day, we explored Komatsu City in Ishikawa Prefecture. Unlike Tokyo, where Musubi Kiln is situated and often enjoys cloudless days during winter, Ishikawa's winters are typica...

Kanazawa's Timeless Charm: The Higashi Chaya District

Take a step back in time as you wander the cobblestoned paths of the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa. Each alley, lined with age-old buildings, is a gateway to the Edo period (1603 CE - 1867 CE)...

The Year-End Party at Musubi Kiln

Although the early days of winter are quite mild, the chill deepens as late December approaches. In Japan, the close of the year is a time for gatherings – Christmas parties and year-end celebratio...

Make Your Own Luck: Creating Shimekazari with Team Musubi

It's now December which means the end of the year looms ahead. It's time to prepare for 2024 — and in Japan, this is no small undertaking. (You can read more about the New Year traditions in our bl...

Discovering the Art of Bizen Ware: A Journey Through Hozan Kiln's Legacy"

The day after the kiln opening, we revisited Mori Toshiaki at Hozan Kiln. Surrounded by a multitude of freshly fired ceramics, I asked if the previous day had stretched late into the night. Mori gr...

Crafeat: Tasting the Tradition of Japanese Artistry and Cuisine, Part 2  

Envision a dining experience where each dish, born from the bounties of local seas and mountains, is cradled in lacquerware excellence. That is the immersive experience you can enjoy at Crafeat.Jo...

Crafeat: Tasting the Tradition of Japanese Artistry and Cuisine

Found in the gastronomic heart of Kanazawa City, Crafeat offers a unique fusion of lacquerware excellence and culinary artistry. Here, Chef Okumura's skillfully prepared Japanese dishes are beautif...

Taya Shikkiten: Where the Artistry of Wajima Lacquerware is Born 

In the tranquil heart of Wajima City, besides the lush satoyama landscape, lies the epicenter of one of Japan's most exquisite traditional crafts: Wajima lacquerware. Celebrated as an Important Int...

Bloom to Beauty: How Camellias Have Been Loved in Japan

Amidst evergreen, glossy leaves, camellias paint dashes of color in the cold with their refined hues and stylish forms. Known as tsubaki in Japan, these blooms, with their timeless charm, have capt...