Journal — Stories from the world of Japanese craft — makers, beauty, seasons, and the table.
Obon: Japan’s Summer Festival of Remembrance
More than a seasonal festival, Obon is a time when families across Japan honor their ancestors, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on the enduring bonds that link past and p...
Read the storyArtisans
The hands and minds behind the work.
Aesthetics
The ideas that shape Japanese beauty.
Seasons & Living
Living closely with the turning year.
At the Table
Food, tea, and the vessels that hold them.
Travel & Places
Places, makers, and journeys worth the trip.
Artisans
The hands and minds behind the work.
Tracing the Breath of Glass: The Living Lines of Takeoka Kensuke
Learn about Takeoka Kensuke's woven glass vessels, where molten lines, breath, and light create…
Otsuki Yosuke’s Art of Glass: Layering Colors, Engraving Memories
Step into Otsuki Yosuke’s world of multi-layered glass, where color, memory, and time are…
Nakada Hiroshi: Shaping Nature in White Porcelain
Enter the world of Nakada Hiroshi, where budding forms and pearl-luster surfaces create a…
Aesthetics
The ideas that shape Japanese beauty.
Surface Decorations in Ceramics
While glaze gives vessels their color and atmosphere, surface decoration brings texture and structure…
The Craft of Kissaten: Japan’s Coffee Culture Across Time
Discover Japan’s coffee culture through kissaten traditions, hand-drip craftsmanship, and the quiet charm of…
Nakazawa Hiroko
The Flower Pots Behind Japan's Garden Culture
From Edo-era street gardening to modern balconies, explore how flower pots shaped Japan’s unique…
Ito RyoSeasons & Living
Living closely with the turning year.
5 Motifs That Capture the Spirit of Japanese Summer
Meet five Japanese summer motifs and the cool tableware that brings the season's spirit…
Celebrate Summer with a Japanese Festival Party!
Make a party extraordinary by bringing the joyful spirit of a Japanese festival, called…
Japan’s Traditional Sparklers: The Behind-the-Scenes Story
Discover the quiet beauty of Japan’s traditional sparklers, senko-hanabi, handheld fireworks.
Ito RyoAt the Table
Food, tea, and the vessels that hold them.
Akari’s Summer Donburi Recipe: Salmon and Avocado Poke Bowl
Craving something cool and easy? Try this no-cook salmon & avocado poke bowl recipe…
A Tasty Tour of Japan's Seasonal Summer Sweets
Explore Japan’s seasonal summer wagashi, from refreshing shaved ice to jewel-like mizu manju, each…
Recipe: Mizu Yokan for A Sweet Summer Table
Learn how to make, chill, slice, and serve refreshing mizu yokan with Japanese plates…
Travel & Places
Places, makers, and journeys worth the trip.
Inside Kinokuniya: Japan’s Upscale Supermarket Culture
Discover how Japanese supermarkets turn shopping into a refined experience through seasonality and thoughtful…
Nakazawa Hiroko
Musubi Lab at Ambiente 2026
Musubi Lab exhibited at Ambiente 2026, connecting global buyers with artisan-made tableware and Japanese…
Japan’s Must-Visit Pottery Markets in 2026
Visit Japan’s top pottery markets in 2026. Find handcrafted tableware, meet artisans, and uncover…
Looking for something practical?
Care, how to choose, and the meaning of craft terms live in the Library — our quiet reference room for everything beyond the stories.
Visit the LibraryStay close to the craft
Now and then, a quiet letter — new stories, seasonal notes, and the hands behind the work.