28 August 2023
An Elegant Farewell: Japanese Gifts to Honor Retirement
The transition to the next stage of one's life after many years of hard work and achievement is surely a moment to be celebrated and honored. It would be a heartfelt gesture to capture all the shared memories, from the highs to the lows, capture them into a cherished memento and present it to a dear collegue that is departing the workplace.
A meaningful gift is an ideal way to show your admiration and wishes for further happy days ahead. From comfort to culture, we have selected a variety of thoughtful and warming presents that will offer something unique to that special someone's newfound leisure time.
List of Gift Items
- Yoneda Yuzan Kiln Kutani Seven Lucky Gods and Treasure Boat
- Tokoname Chakoro Tea Incense Burner
- Yoshita Kasho Koi Fish Maki-e Glass Sake Cup
- Issou Kairenpo Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks
- Fukunishi Sobe Sakura Aizu Lacquerware Flower Vase with Tray
Yoneda Yuzan Kiln
Kutani Seven Lucky Gods and Treasure Boat
Send off a beloved colleague with a gift enthralled with best wishes and happiness with this auspicious Kutani ware decor item. It makes for a spot-on gift for someone with an affinity for culture and art. Its vivid colors and joyful symbolism will add beauty and happiness to any space in a home.
The Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) hold significant symbolic importance in Japanese mythology and folklore. In ancient Japan, there was a belief that happiness would arrive from a distant land beyond the sea. This auspicious figurine depicts the Seven Lucky Gods riding on a treasure boat, symbolizing the bountiful blessings they bring.
The names of the gods aboard the boat, starting from the left in the picture, are as follows:
Daikokuten- God of property
Bishamonten- God of protection
Hotei- God of fortune and marital bliss
Fukurokuju- God of longevity
Benzaiten- One of the patron deities in Buddhism
Jurojin- God of longevity
Ebisu- God of commerce
If your departing colleague is one who finds joy in collecting and displaying crafts, especially with a cultural narrative, this Kutani ware decorative item is sure to please. The intricate designs and vibrant colors found in Kutani ware will appeal to those with an eye for aesthetics of traditional crafts.
View ItemTokoname Chakoro Tea Incense Burners
For someone looking forward to unwinding and enjoying a more leisurely-paced lifestyle after retiring, a Japanese tea incense burner will do just that with its unrushed comforting allure. The calming atmosphere created with a Japanese tea incense burner is soothing, and calls upon all senses.
The base made of Tokoname ware, one of Japan's oldest pottery, exudes a gentle and rustic earthiness with its textured surface. Dried green tea leaves are slowly roasted on a stoneware plate over a serene single flame. Elusive shadows decorate with their delicate carved patterns. Time flows slowly, like the gradual drifting of the aroma of green tea.
Stepping away from the hustle and bustle of work, your colleague will have more time to embrace slower, more mindful activities. The soothing scent will signify a well-deserved rest, and an encouragement for embracing the beauty of their present moment, making it a thoughtful and meaningful retirement gift.
The Yamafusa Loquat Leaf Round Tokoname Chakoro Tea Incense Burner sports a matte olive green hue, with its sides adorned with carved droplet patterns. A singular leaf adorns the top plate of the burner, serving as a convenient handle for placing tea leaves.
View Item
The Sekiryu Cherry Blossom Green Ash Glaze Tokoname Chakoro Tea Incense Burner showcases a rustic brown matte finish, adorned with four intricately carved cherry blossoms. When the burner is lit, the petal cut-outs cast elegant shadows, enhancing a serene ambiance.
View ItemYoshita Kasho Koi Fish Maki-e Glass Sake Cup
Choosing a sake cup for a sake-loving working partner saying farewell shows thoughtful consideration for his or her preference. Knowing that it will be enjoyed with Japanese sake makes the gift even more meaningful and relevant to their tastes. A captivating sake cup such as this Maki-e glass sake cup celebrates the retiree's accomplishments and hard work throughout one's career.
This Yoshita Kasho Koi Fish sake cup is an exquisitely handcrafted piece of art. The painting of the koi fish, with its fine lines and realistic hues, captures the essence of motion and vitality. Holding significant symbolism in Japanese culture, the koi fish represents perseverance, determination, and good fortune.
This stunning sake cup is presented in an elegant box, adorned with a soft fabric lining, enhancing the sense of celebration and sophistication for this special occasion.
An item crafted with artisanal excellence is a well-deserved gift for someone who has shown commitment and dedication in all that he or she has done.
The recipient will surely treasure this gift, as it allows them to indulge in their favorite sake with elegance. Sake cups made by Yoshita Kasho will amplify the enjoyment of each sip, making it a delightful gift to receive.
Issou Kairenpo Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks
Yamanaka lacquerware chopsticks, decadently adorned with shell inlays are stunning items that can be given to subtly convey gratitude and appreciation. Finely cut pieces of Abalone shell inlays are meticulously set on the surface of the Yamanaka lacquerware chopsticks - a beautiful item that signifies not only the precision of fine craftsmanship, but also the elegance of Japanese tradition.
A set of chopsticks would serve as a daily reminder of their much appreciated professional journey. Adding an element of luxury to their meals, they will give inspiration to enjoy their well-earned leisure time. It is a gift that marries practical use with graceful aesthetic appeal - truly a fitting tribute for such a memorable occasion.
These chopsticks come in a color choice of black or red, the black being slightly longer than the red.
The black pair comes in a longer size of 23cm/9in. Black presents a striking visual contrast. The iridescent hues of the shell fragments stand out vividly against the deep, glossy black, creating an image reminiscent of stars scattered across a night sky.
View Item
The length of the red pair is 20.5cm/8.1in. Abalone shell inlays on red lacquer evokes a warm impression. The vibrant red serves as a passionate backdrop to the cool shimmer of the shell inlays.
View ItemFukunishi Sobe
Sakura Aizu Lacquerware Flower Vase with Tray
This exquisite Japanese vase adorned with cherry blossoms, known as sakura in Japanese, in full bloom against a chic black backdrop, is highly recommended as a gift to celebrate a new beginning. The intricate hand-painted design invokes a sense of elegance and cheer, symbolizing the onset of springtime - which in Japan is the time of the year for a new start and the beginning of a new season, much like retirement itself.
Celebrated as one of the most beloved flowers in Japan, cherry blossoms are well-known for their refined ambiance, adding a vibrant charm to any room. Additionally, the vase comes with two trays that can be neatly placed under the vase, adding an extra layer of elegance and shine.
This vase, with its striking presence, makes an excellent gift, and serves as a wonderful memento commemorating the meaningful connections shared during the time spent together at the office.
A retirement gift is unique in that it not only expresses your respect for the years of commitment of your departing colleague, but also is an item that celebrates a transition into a new stage of one's life.
Why not gift something special to express your best wishes for their future and as a token of gratitude for years of hard work? Let your thoughtful gift symbolize how much you cherish their exciting prospects and express how they will be missed dearly. These items can bring cheer into their lives while taking them on a brand new adventure.
View Gift Collection
