JOURNAL

Two overlapping sheets of urushi-finished Mino washi showing the fibrous texture of the paper

Mino Washi: Japan's 1,300-Year-Old Paper

What Mino washi is, how handmade Japanese paper is made, why Honminoshi techniques are on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and how washi is used today, including with urushi.

Mino Washi: Japan's 1,300-Year-Old Paper

What Mino washi is, how handmade Japanese paper is made, why Honminoshi techniques are on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and how washi is used today, including with urushi.

Black urushi-finished Mino washi placemat with chopsticks on a rest, on a white background

Paper Anniversary Gift: Japanese Washi Ideas

Paper is the traditional first-anniversary gift. Why Japanese washi makes a thoughtful choice, the story of Mino washi and Honminoshi, and paper gifts that get used, including a washi placemat...

Paper Anniversary Gift: Japanese Washi Ideas

Paper is the traditional first-anniversary gift. Why Japanese washi makes a thoughtful choice, the story of Mino washi and Honminoshi, and paper gifts that get used, including a washi placemat...

Japanese table setting on a black washi placemat: simmered fish in a stoneware bowl, sake cups, and black chopsticks on a rest in front with tips pointing left

Japanese Table Setting: A Simple Guide With Dia...

How to set a Japanese table at home, with a diagram: rice left, soup right, main and side dishes behind, chopsticks in front with tips left on a rest, and...

Japanese Table Setting: A Simple Guide With Dia...

How to set a Japanese table at home, with a diagram: rice left, soup right, main and side dishes behind, chopsticks in front with tips left on a rest, and...

THE URUSHI Full Set in its kraft gift box: black urushi-finished stainless chopsticks, rest, fork and teardrop spoon

Japanese Housewarming Gifts: Useful, Not Clutter

What Japanese etiquette says about housewarming gifts: what is customary, what to avoid (anything that suggests fire), budgets, noshi paper and card wording, plus tableware ideas for the new table.

Japanese Housewarming Gifts: Useful, Not Clutter

What Japanese etiquette says about housewarming gifts: what is customary, what to avoid (anything that suggests fire), budgets, noshi paper and card wording, plus tableware ideas for the new table.

A Japanese place setting on a dark washi placemat: a ceramic bowl, two small cups, and black chopsticks on a rest

Gifts for Japan Lovers: Crafted Pieces They'll Use

Crafted, everyday gifts for someone who loves Japan, grouped by the table, tea and kitchen, with a map of craft regions and honest advice on giving a pre-order that arrives...

Gifts for Japan Lovers: Crafted Pieces They'll Use

Crafted, everyday gifts for someone who loves Japan, grouped by the table, tea and kitchen, with a map of craft regions and honest advice on giving a pre-order that arrives...

Urushi sap being tapped from horizontal cuts in the bark of a lacquer tree, with a collecting cup

Why Is Japanese Lacquerware So Expensive?

Hand-tapped sap, many thin coats and specialists in several workshops: where the cost of real urushi lacquerware goes, how to spot cheaper imitations, and when it is worth paying for.

Why Is Japanese Lacquerware So Expensive?

Hand-tapped sap, many thin coats and specialists in several workshops: where the cost of real urushi lacquerware goes, how to spot cheaper imitations, and when it is worth paying for.