Journal — Stories from the world of Japanese craft — makers, beauty, seasons, and the table.
Gilded Lines and Expanding Forms: The Work of Ishitomi Shunjiro
Explore the Kutani ware art of Ishitomi Shunjiro, where black lines, gold detailing, and…
Caroline’s Table: The Story Behind Pickled Plum
Chef and blogger Caroline shares her journey through Pickled Plum, a beloved site for…
Shaped by Hand, Moved by Nature: Yamaura Saori
Explore the quiet beauty of Yamaura Saori’s hand-shaped ceramics, inspired by nature, daily life,…
Breathing Bamboo: The Art of Japanese Painting by Mino Shodo
Discover Mino Shodo’s expressive ink paintings of bamboo, capturing the spirit of nature through…
Quiet Passion in Every Brushstroke: The Artistry of Satomi Toshitaka
Learn about Satomi Toshitaka, a Mikawachi ware craftsman whose passion and refined brushwork carry…
France to Japan: A Chef’s Cross-Border Culinary Journey
Discover Chef Victor Emmanuel’s journey from French fine dining to crafting luxury Japanese cuisine…
The Secret Behind the Beauty of the Japanese Sword
Young swordsmiths in Kyoto revive Japanese katana-making. Discover their craft, tradition, and bold new…
Ito Ryo
A Classicist of Sometsuke: Yamamoto Choza
Kutani ware craftsman Yamamoto Choza blends traditional techniques with current trends to craft sometsuke…
Healing and Harmony: The Charm of Nakamura Toshito
Explore the story behind Nakamura Toshito's ceramic paintings, with his latest work embodying nature's…
Dobuchi Yoshiaki: Decoding the Secrets of Yohen Tenmoku
Uncover the mystery of Yohen Tenmoku, a lost ceramic art of cosmic beauty, revived…
The Legacy of the 14th Generation Master at Le Sanpei Kiln
At Le Sanpei Kiln, 14th-generation master Kanagae Sanbei keeps Arita ware’s traditions alive with…
Kyoto Chronicles: Inside the Workshops of Master Potters
Discover Kyoto’s pottery at Tosen Kiln’s vintage glazes and Touan’s revival of the rare…
Rebecca Menasché
An Interview with Kakinuma Toko: Shaping the Future of Edo Kimekomi Dolls
Discover Kakinuma Toko's approach to Edo Kimekomi dolls, blending tradition with modern design and…
The Birth of a Dragon at Tosen Kiln
Learn more about how Tosen Kiln’s artisans revived the rare kyu-gosu pigment to craft…
Shirata Ai
The Artistry of Nakazato Ichiro: Elegance Born at the Fingertips
Meet Nakazato Ichiro, whose chrysanthemum carvings continue the centuries-old Mikawachi ware legacy on white…
Aged to Wooden Perfection: The Secrets of Kioke Barrel Soy Sauce
Learn about kioke soy sauce aging at Yugeta Shoyu, where rare ingredients and wooden…
Ito Ryo
Mori Toshiaki's Journey in Reimagining Bizen Ware
Learn about Bizen ware artisan Mori Toshiaki, and his unique forms, experimental firing, and…
Life as Legacy: Richard Geoffroy’s IWA Reincarnation
Explore IWA 5's story, from Richard Geoffroy's Dom Pérignon roots to his innovative journey…
Dana Melanz
Taking the Confusion out of Fusion with Chef Masa of O-Ku
Experience Chef Masa Hamaya's fusion of flavors at O-ku in Atlanta, where Japanese traditions…
Takade Eiji: A Life Etched in Wajima
Explore the life of Takade Eiji, a master of chinkin—the intricate art of carving…
Excellence Endorsed: Celebrating Japan’s Most Honored Creators
Discover the significance of being a Japanese Imperial Household purveyor, an honor held by…
Visiting Toyama's Master Craftspeople: Two Potters and a Washi Artisan
Meet three master artisans from Toyama, Japan, as they share their crafts and traditions…
IWA's Sake Brewing in Toyama
Discover IWA, where Japan's ancient sake traditions merge with French winemaking artistry, led by…
Yamada Yoshiaki: Mastery in Sketching and the Beauty of Blank Space
Meet Yamada Yoshiaki, a master of Kutani ware painting whose intricate sketches blend nature's…