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Summer Gift Ideas That Bring a Refreshing Feeling

Summer Gift Ideas That Bring a Refreshing Feeling

Written by Team MUSUBI

Once again, the sweltering summer will sweep in. Though we are unable to command the weather, there's something we can do to make it better—our tableware. A subtle shift can usher in a sense of coolness and rejuvenate our spirits.


In the Kanto region, including Tokyo, there is a tradition called "Ochugen" from early to mid-July. During this period, people show gratitude and wish for the health of those who usually take care of them by presenting gifts. In addition, from mid-July to early August, there is a nationwide custom known as "Shochu Mimai," where people send gifts to express their concern for the well-being of others during the intense summer heat.


Why not take this seasonal opportunity to reciprocate the care and support you regularly receive? This time, we have prepared items that bring a refreshing breeze into the season and encapsulate the quintessence of a Japanese summer.

Cool Breezes and Sound

Morning Glory Imari Nabeshima Ware Long Wind Bell

Swaying in the wind, the wind chime plays a refreshing sound that soothes the summer heat. Its clear tone naturally draws the ear.

This wind chime reflects a refined sensibility that blends the tradition and prestige of Nabeshima ware with a modern lifestyle. The blue morning glory painted on the white porcelain is rendered using a special pigment known as ruri-gosu, which creates a cool and elegant expression with both clarity and depth.

The flower depicted on this wind chime is the morning glory, a symbol of summer in Japan. Blooming gracefully with dew on its petals, it evokes a delicate beauty yet also a quiet strength. Since its seeds were brought from China during the Nara period (710–794 CE), the morning glory has been cherished by the Japanese people. In the Edo period (1603–1868 CE), it frequently appeared in ukiyo-e prints and on yukata fabrics, becoming firmly established as a seasonal icon of summer.

This elegant piece is truly fitting as a gift for someone dear, offering a serene and refreshing moment.

Elegance for the Japanese Summer Table

Kosen Kiln Medaka Rice Fish Weave Imari Nabeshima Ware Square Plate 10.4in

This plate brings to mind a clear stream flowing gently across a summer dining table. 

Tiny medaka rice fish float on soft celadon porcelain, creating a sense of transparency reminiscent of a still pond’s surface. The entire piece is coated with a glossy glaze in a jade-like blue-green hue.

Along the rim, delicate carvings resemble woven patterns, while at the center, meticulously painted medaka appear to swim. Using varied brush thicknesses, each fish is carefully hand-painted—its tail angle and fine dotting details give it a lifelike presence.

Measuring approximately 26.5 cm (10.4 in) in diameter, the plate is generously sized and perfect as a main serving dish. It enhances the presentation of summer delicacies such as chilled pasta or sashimi platters. A gentle depression in the center makes it ideal for dishes with sauces as well, offering both beauty and practicality.

Other items are also available in the medaka series, making it a lovely gift when presented as a set.

Toan Blue Floral Crystalline Yunomi Japanese Teacup

Delicate crystalline patterns shimmer across the entire surface, gently accented by a pale blue gradient that seems to rise from the base. With its translucent appearance, the cup changes expression depending on the angle of light, adding a subtle touch of beauty to everyday life.

Its soft, rounded form fits comfortably in the hand, offering a sense of calm each time you hold it. With a generous capacity of approximately 230 ml (7.8 fl oz), it’s perfect not only for tea, but also for hot water, herbal infusions, or chilled drinks. In the heat of summer, it evokes a sense of coolness; in colder seasons, its gentle colors offer a quiet warmth.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it is also microwave and dishwasher-safedishwasher safe, making it a practical choice for daily use.

Whether as a thoughtful gift for someone special, a seasonal greeting, a celebration, or a well-deserved treat for yourself, this piece brings a moment of calm to your day—a cup that gently soothes the heart.

Nature’s Cool Touch

Fine Weave Bamboo Basket

The delicate weave of this basket creates airy openwork patterns that even cast beautiful shadows. Its gently rounded shape exudes both charm and elegance, bringing a soft sense of space to the table simply by placing it at the center. It’s perfect for holding fruits or traditional Japanese sweets—or lined with a cloth, ideal for serving bread.

Bamboo, as a material, breathes—it releases moisture and allows air to pass through. This basket carries that same wisdom, passed down through generations of Japanese summers. It is practical, yet soothing to the soul.

As a gift, it leaves nothing to be desired. Combining the beauty of handcraftsmanship with the quietude of nature, this bamboo basket is sure to make a lasting impression, especially when given as a seasonal greeting to someone of refined taste or esteemed status.

Chilled Beauty in Crystal Glass

Hirota Glass Column Glass Sakazuki Sake Cup

When all ornamentation is stripped away, what remains is the pure beauty of material and form.

This glass is defined by its pure, refined form. Its clear, colorless surface captures even the subtlest shadows, creating a serene clarity within its space. The straight lines and stable base lend a quiet dignity, while its weight fits naturally in the hand, and the rim offers a delicate touch on the lips. When filled with chilled sake, even the coldness seems to be conveyed visually.

More than just a beautifully functional sake vessel, it also enhances the elegance of the user’s gestures. Equally at home on both Japanese and Western tables, it adds a special brilliance to any evening. An ideal gift for someone special, —this glass invites moments of calm reflection, held within its clear and spacious form.

Edo Kiriko Ruby Sazanammi Crystal Rock Glass

This elegant glass in a vivid lapis lazuli blue showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Edo Kiriko, one of Japan’s traditional glass-cutting arts.

The design centers around the theme of waves, harmoniously blending two distinct expressions. One depicts bold, dramatic waves with a sense of wild movement, while the other delicately features seigaiha—a traditional pattern of gentle, repeating waves—preserving areas of color for added depth.

The seigaiha and other auspicious patterns are intricately hand-cut by skilled artisans, catching the light and sparkling fromwith every angle. Diagonal cuts toward the base introduce a dynamic sense of flow, giving the glass a shifting expression that changes with every glance.

An ideal gift for someone special, —this glass invites moments of calm reflection, held within its clear and spacious form.

Kadowaki Glass Emerald Crystal Guinomi Sake Cup

This guinomi sake glass features a soft, pale blue hue reminiscent of a clear water surface, beautifully accented by the delicate cuts characteristic of Edo Kiriko craftsmanship. The chrysanthemum-linked pattern sparkles in the light, while a large chrysanthemum flower-like cut at the center adds a refined presence that rests gracefully in the palm.

Carefully finished by the hands of skilled artisans, this compact glass embodies true craftsmanship. When chilled sake is poured, the gentle colors and shimmering light enhance the experience, making each sip feel even more special.

Housed in a traditional paulownia wood box, it is an ideal gift for someone dear—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Father’s Day, or as a thoughtful souvenir for international guests. A high-quality gift that delivers elegance and serenity in every use.

Enhance the Summery Atmosphere

The sound of chimes swaying in the breeze, cool-toned tableware, sake cups, and baskets that fit comfortably in the hand—a curated collection of items that bring comfort and ease to summer.

Their vivid colors delight the eyes, adding a sense of coolness and charm to your seasonal space.Each piece blends seamlessly into daily life, while offering a subtle sense of refreshment and something a little special.

Perfect as a thoughtful gift—or as a way to savor the season for yourself.

Why not find that one item to make your summer all the more pleasant?

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