Interviews

hirali: The Rare Art of Roller-Printed Tenugui

We visited Takeno Senko in Sakai, Osaka, the maker behind hirali, to learn how its craftsmen reinvented roller printing to dye tenugui in a different color on each side.

Kyo Wazarashi Mensha: Gauze for Restful Sleep, from Kyoto

Kyo Wazarashi Mensha, from a Kyoto bedding maker founded in 1925, makes multi-layer gauze bleached by the slow, chemical-free wazarashi method for truly restful sleep.

soil: Diatomaceous Earth, Made the Muddy Way

We visited the Kanazawa workshop behind soil, where plasterers turn diatomaceous earth into stylish bath mats and homewares, entirely by hand.

Kamoshika Doguten: Banko Ware Tools for a Whole Region

We visited Kamoshika Doguten in Komono, Mie, a regional brand of Banko ware kitchen tools made with partner kilns to keep the whole craft region thriving.

Kasamori: Triple O, Jewelry Made Only of Thread

We visited Kasamori, an embroidery company founded in 1877 in Kiryu, Gunma, to learn how its brand 000 (Triple O) makes feather-light accessories from thread alone.

Kamezaki Senko: Hand-Dyed Fishing Flags from Kagoshima

We visited Kamezaki Senko, a dye works founded in 1869 in Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima, to learn how its fifth-generation dyer keeps hand-dyed fishing flags alive in a changing world.

Take Kobo Kisetsu: From Office Worker to Bamboo Craftsman in Kyoto

We visited Take Kobo Kisetsu in Kyoto, where craftsman Mr. Hosokawa, who left an office job at 31 to learn bamboo craft, weaves ajiro bamboo bags made for everyday life.

Mimatsu Kogei: The Beauty of Wood Grain, from Saga

Among the rice fields of Kanzaki, Saga, Mimatsu Kogei went from making furniture parts to order to creating its own brands, M.SCOOP, NENRIN and GREEN, that bring out the character of every piece of...

Onishi Seisakusho: Handmade Pens from Higashiosaka

In Higashiosaka, Keizo Onishi draws on more than 65 years with pens to make every fountain pen and ballpoint by hand. We visited his workshop to see how a single pen comes to life.

Odate Kougeisha: Magewappa and the Story of Blanc Pa

In Odate, Akita, Odate Kougeisha has crafted magewappa bentwood ware from century-old Akita cedar for 65 years. We learned how every piece is made by hand, and why they created Blanc Pa.