Japan’s allure cannot be attributed to any one specific trait. Be it cuisine or culture, design and architecture, cities of the future or soothing reprieves, the island nation offers unparalleled experiences across the spectrum of high and low. This is why we continue to return and explore. Our Japanophile Gift Guide is particularly close to our hearts, as it includes items from our Omakase gift box, a collection of 13 gifts crafted in collaboration with Japanese artisans. Every design object we’ve developed has function, but to decipher their untold value requires history lessons. With products exquisitely made by Asahiyaki (now led by a talented 16th generation ceramist), Chi Chi, Grisal, KIUN, Taro Tabuchi, Hajime Shoji, Zillion and others, this is an exclusive, high-quality gift for any Japanophile or lover of textile, design and craftsmanship. For that high-end gift, and so many more thoughtful products, take a look at our Japanophile Gift Guide.
FUKU is a kimono-style garment, lined with a soft fleece for extra warmth and comfort. From the Japanese brand Prospective Flow, the traditional jacket (with roomy pockets and a single button closure) is relaxed but imbued with sophistication.
From NYC-based Natala Natala (a homeware brand that sells beautiful pieces crafted by artisans in Japan and the US) comes a mosquito coil case that makes an otherwise unattractive—but very useful—item much more appealing. Designed by Suzuki Morihisa studio, located in the Iwate Prefecture in Japan’s Tōhoku region, this piece can be hung or laid flat on any surface. Its super-durable textured iron composition lends …
Inspired by the knot used for traditional Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloth, this medium-sized tote bag by CaBas is crafted using sashiko-embroidered Mikawa cotton from Aichi-based Atelier Tanei (one of the rare manufacturers with the skill required to work with the material). With a leather strap, the bag features inner and outer pockets secured by a stud. Altogether, it’s sculptural, durable and elegant. Price is in Pounds.
Unconventional fashion and footwear designer Mihara Yasuhiro takes the familiar silhouette of the slip-on and turns it on its head with the introduction of striking faux fur. Available in beige, black or brown, the shoes are emblematic of the irregular, bold and unequivocally unique style that garnered the Japanese designer his cult following.
Made is Osaka, Japan, this minimalist toolbox from Toyo Steel combines modern style with compact design to refine the ubiquitous household necessity. The sleek box, crafted with stainless steel, is the perfect size for storing handy tools, classic gadgets and miscellaneous gizmos. The toolbox comes in vibrant blue, red or black.
From Tokushima, Japan-based Awagami, a washi brand run by the Fujimori family, comes a lovely Uchiwa fan—a traditional Japanese non-folding fan whose style dates back to the 14th century. Hand-dyed with indigo in an ombre pattern by Awagami artisans, it’s made from kozo paper and bamboo.
These playing cards by Takenobu Igarashi, which were first commissioned from the artist by MoMA in the late 1980s, have never lost their charm. Igarashi—a Japanese-born educator and graphic designer who founded and taught programs at Chiba University and Tama Art University in Japan and the University of California, LA—plays with negative space to create elegant and timeless designs. Piatnik produces these reproductions of Igarashi’s …
Tsukemono are preserved vegetables produced through a traditional Japanese process of pickling that inspires balance and connection to each meal. While these vegetables often appear on a small plate as a side to a main course, tsukemono are not an afterthought. Across all varieties, they pack a bounty of spicy, sweet or sour flavors that add depth to every dish. Sold by KonMari, this set …
For dazzling, gravity-defying bouquets, Plantgem’s kenzan set is a sturdy yet delicate holder for the Japanese art of flower arranging, ikebana. A kenzan (“sword mountain” in Japanese) fixes flowers to a specific spot as spikes within the item keep stems in place. This large rust-proof set uses brass pins to provide solid support while being small enough for fragile blooms. Made in Japan, this kenzan …
Made in Japan, Niwaki’s scouring block is ideal for cleaning rust, resin and grime from blades, particularly secateurs, shears and knives. This easy-to-use tool works with just a few drops of water, but can be better supported by Niwaki’s Camellia Oil, which helps keep blades sharper for longer. Simply add the water or oil to a blade and scrub with the Crean Mate as if …
The ceramic Origami Dripper M features 20 ribs to maximize airflow and increase flavor in pour over coffee. Made from porcelain, the dripper boasts high thermal conductivity, which makes it ideal for maintaining high temperatures as steam separates from hot water. The shape of the structure also slows water absorption into the ground beans. The Origami Dripper M is also dishwasher and microwave safe and …
Third-generation woodworker Shuji Nakagawa at Nakagawa Mokkouegi in Shiga used a 700-year-old technique called Ki-Oke (or bucket-making) to craft these vases—in an edition of 30 unique pieces. Today there are just a few of these traditional artisans left—and unlike many of his peers, Nakagawa also uses the technique to create more modern objects like these. For this particular commission, we asked him to create a …
