GUIDES & STORIES
This archive brings together guides that explain how to choose Japanese-made products — such as “Japanese-made frying pans”, “domestic kitchen knives”, “baby tableware”, or plush toys — along with makers' stories and special features. Use it as a starting point when you want to carefully discover tools and daily essentials made in Japan.
Margiela's boot is named after a 15th-century sock. The three kinds of tabi, what kohaze clasps count for, and how to size split-toe socks. Read More
About 13 min read
Ume is an apricot and umeshu is infused, not fermented. The Honkaku Umeshu label, why the base spirit decides everyth... Read More
About 14 min read
Five Japanese workshops make the randoseru worth queueing for, and two ship in English. 300 steps, the sekan mechanis... Read More
About 15 min read
A goshuin is hand-brushed proof that you worshipped — worship first, and never put a station stamp in the book. Paper... Read More
About 12 min read
A 2014 paparazzi photo turned a Japanese school bag into an overseas fashion item. What it costs, why it lasts six ye... Read More
About 13 min read
A kamidana without an ofuda is just a shelf, and ofuda are hard to get outside Japan. Placement rules, the cloud char... Read More
About 14 min read
Panasonic's Lamdash is sold abroad as the Arc — the same shaver. The 30-degree blade angle, foil vs rotary, and why v... Read More
About 13 min read
Turn it over: a chusen yukata looks the same on both sides, a printed one does not. Arimatsu shibori, sizing for tall... Read More
About 14 min read
Samue means Zen work clothes; jinbei is summer only. Kurume and Awa shijira weaves, and the 1,300-year rule about whi... Read More
About 16 min read
The Mitsubishi on your pencil is not the car company, and Blackwing is made in Japan. Hi-uni's 22 grades, Holbein's 1... Read More
About 15 min read