The MITSUI Golden Takumi Award, organized for many years by the Mitsui Public Relations Committee of the Mitsui Group, supports artisans who are working to pass on Japan’s traditions to the next generation. The 5th presentation of the award was held on October 3, 2024, when the w...

Sonnenglas Japan, a distributor of solar lanterns produced under fair trade in South Africa, has newly launched “Sonnenglas® EN.” This innovative product combines a solar-powered light unit lit by sunlight, with a lantern shade made by artisans using the traditional Japanese craf...

Heading south from Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture, and crossing the Shigenobu River, you arrive at the gateway to Tobe Town. A tower made of Tobe ware ceramic tiles welcomes visitors. Located in the center of the prefecture, Tobe town, as its slogan “The to...

Shitsurindo, an Echizen lacquerware manufacturer based in Fukui Prefecture, and ZOZO NEXT, a company engaged in research and development that leverages technology in fashion industry, have announced the launch of a joint research initiative. This collaboration aims to develop new...

Each spring, Sugahara unveils its latest creations, and this year is no exception, with 20 new series making their debut. Featuring a wide range of shapes and colors, these designs are crafted to bring beauty and joy to everyday life.“Sghr imperfect” series showcases glasses with...

Time & Style designs and produces furniture, lighting, tableware, towels and other lifestyle goods, with a fundamental philosophy of creating products imbued with enduring and intrinsic value. Guided by the Japanese principle of “onko chishin” (learning from the past to inspi...

Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and delicate, vivid paintings, “Nabeshima ware” is regarded one of the finest porcelain in Japan. As it marks its 350th anniversary this year, a series of commemorative initiatives are planned.Nabeshima ware traces its origin to the Edo ...

Mori Kougei was founded in Tokushima Prefecture in 1953. Specializing in the technique of pasting “tsuki-ita,” a wood veneer sliced as thin as paper, the company has manufactured decorative plywood, fixtures and furniture. Since 2020, Mori Kougei has focused on developing its own...

“F-TRAD” is a project that reinterprets seven of Fukui Prefecture’s esteemed traditional crafts (Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, Wakasa agate work, Wakasa lacquerware, Echizen forged blades, Echizen ware, and Echizen chest) to suit modern lifestyles. The latest collecti...

JTB Corp., under commission from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, has launched and operates a reservation website for traditional craft experiences in Tokyo within the JTB LAPITA platform. This website is ava...

Since its founding in Asakusa, Tokyo in 1931, Kimoto Glass Tokyo has collaborated with numerous craftsmen for over 90 years to introduce glass tableware to the world. With a wholesaler’s unique perspective on market trends, the company produces new glass products tailored to mode...

The term “craftsmanship” has come to be widely used in recent years. It is not limited to handcrafted artisan goods but also applies to products such as watches, cars, and fashion items. The attitude of pursuing high quality in the creation of objects is often express...