Kyoto
Asahiyaki | Kyoto
Four centuries of continuity is remarkable enough. But, while sheer longevity is undoubtedly noteworthy, Asahiyaki, or Asahi ware, stands out from traditional Japanese ceramics in other ways.
CRAFT
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Japanese handicrafts long predate modernity, and are distinctive for their striking aesthetic. Often passed down to one’s children, many skilled artisans today can trace their legacy back many generations. As a result, over time, certain prefectures in Japan have become associated with the families of master craftspeople. From singular chowan and high-minded wabi-sabi to sheer lacquerware, the form and function of Japanese crafts are as beautiful and varied as they are interesting.
Gifu
Treasures of Japan – Ceramicist | Midori Uchida
Unlike Uchida-san’s soft-spoken demeanor, her art is known for leaving lasting impressions. Her aesthetic, known as “landscape,” has a pale color gradation befitting the visual spectrum of a distant planet more than anything earthbound. There is an element of mystique to it, like a dream, of something not belonging to
Nagano
Treasures of Japan – Kijishi-Nushi | Masayuki Ogura
“When I was a kid, I remember going into the forest with my dad and cutting down a tree. He mourned it with flowers. He told me that we received the tree’s life, so our work should respect the life of the tree. “
Kyoto
Kungyokudo | Kyoto
Kungyokudo maintains tradition using only natural ingredients such as sandalwood, cinnamon, aloeswood, frankincense, and an assortment of wild plants. Burning Kungyokudo incense envelopes the senses in an aromatic calm.
Tokushima
Buaisou | Tokushima
The farmer-artisans at BUAISOU are the latest heirs to a longstanding tradition. By carefully overseeing the plant through each step—cultivation, fermentation, dye, and design—they bring truth to the words, “farm to closet” clothing.
Niigata
Fuukidou | Niigata
Today, Fuukidou is in its third generation and focuses exclusively on copperware for everyday use in the home. With pieces equally striking and elegant, each meticulously hammer-formed object is unlike any other, and changes with time.
Aichi
Taste of Vermicular | Aichi
Some appliances aim for convenience, though many of them lack durability; by contrast, Vermicular engineered the Musui–Kamado for performance and quality.
Aichi
Vermicular | Aichi
When considering the right tool for the kitchen, the best ones merge durability, functionality, and potential—that is, how far one can take cooking within the limits of the tool itself. Leave it to the Japanese to channel generations of perfection-seeking into something genuinely noteworthy: Vermicular’s Musui–Kamado.
