Showcase Japan

We’re pleased to announce the digital return of Showcase Japan, a special section in Shoppe Online’s Marketplace presented in partnership with JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization, the government-related organization that has worked to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world since 1958. A panel of esteemed judges in Japan collaborated with our own jury to handpick twenty-five outstanding companies that comprise an exciting assemblage of beautiful goods for home and gift. Shop whimsical pleated bags, dresses in shibori dye, fine glassware, elegant lighting, minimalist candles, the most captivating makeup brushes we’ve ever seen and more, all carrying traditional craftsmanship forward with exceptional, progressive design.

Featured

TAKADA TAWASHI

Artisans with over 70 years of experience handcraft TAWASHI, traditional scrub brushes, by harvesting windmill palm trees in Japan that yield soft bristles. Despite their appearances, these bristles are gentle and perfect for cleaning cookware, vegetables, and for bathing. As a body cleansing brush, TAWASHI leaves skin reinvigorated. Experience the ability of TAKADA brushes to turn small everyday moments into something extraordinary.

ADERIA

The story of Aderia dates back to 1819 when the glass industry in Japan was going through a rapid development. Founder Iwasaburo Ishizuka started with hand blown glass production and eventually established the first glass factory in Nagoya. This is still where Aderia continues to manufacture most of their glassware, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern glass making techniques. Aderia has since developed a myriad of glassware collections, with more than 100 original glass colors, including both handmade and machine-made products. With the ideal of “Familiar Luxuries at Your Fingertips”, Aderia’s products have been enriching people’s lives for over 200 years.

SARALAM

Saralam is a premium knitwear label founded in 2013 by Kei Yoshida. Always having a passion for design, Kei was inspired by natural geometric and botanical landscapes, and was primarily drawn to the color of earth tones. Sourcing premium yarns from Japan and Italy, the collections feature traditional handknit craftsmanship. Focusing on knits and crochets, Saralam is growing worldwide and have extended into home goods and skincare products.

HOFF

HOFF began when Morinaga, an experienced shoe designer, started handcrafting small leather goods. A circulation and awareness of materials and craftsmanship, we believe they would breed scenes in which people, conversations and ideas come together.

We aim to create a new standard of art and beauty that is timeless and never influenced by the changing trends.

NOUSAKU

Founded in 1916, Nousaku is based in Takaoka, Japan. Takaoka city has been famous for metal casting in Japan since the 17th century. Originally a manufacturer of Buddhist altar goods and traditional Japanese tea sets, Nousaku now makes beautiful home goods using techniques passed down through generations.

“KAGO”, is the masterpiece of Nousaku, a flexible pure tin basket that gained popularity in the United States and Europe and has been selected by MoMA Design Store in New York since 2017.

KAMAWANU

Founded in 1990, KAMAWANU is based in Tokyo, Japan. KAMAWANU is known for making TENUGUI cloths. Traditionally, TENUGUI is made from hand-dyed cotton and has many usages such as handkerchief, bandana, dish cloth and wrapping cloth. Unlike common TENUGUI, KAMAWANU uses the CHU-SEN method, a special technique where the dye absorbed into the fabric so you can see the patterns on both sides.

MARUMITSU POTERIE

Established in 1950, Marumitsu is based in Seto, Japan. Each collection is designed with a French flair to Japanese tableware. Functionality is always the heart of the design, how each piece is used and how food is plated is always considered when they are designed. Seto is home to kilns with the longest production history in Japan along with local potters that bring a high-quality artisanal touch to the collection.

TAKARAJIMA SENKOU

Takarajima Senkou was established by Chiharu Ogomori in 2000, originally as a dyeing workshop specializing in indigo, mud, ink, and other plant-extracted dyes, then further expanded to dyeing fabrics for a diverse range of Japanese brands. In addition, Takarajima Senkou designs and dyes clothing and interior pieces using all natural materials and traditional dyeing techniques. The designs offer versatile styles that complement our modern lives, yet reflecting on the history of dyeing that we value.

PLYWOOD LABORATORY

Founded in 2015, Plywood Laboratory is a brand created by Takizawa Veneer CO based in Hokkaido. The products of Plywood Laboratory are created using Paper Wood, a unique plywood material, developed in 2009. Using advanced woodworking technique, Paper Wood is created by integrating colorful recycled papers with domestic wood veneers. The combination creates a beautiful cross section of the plywood, allowing it to be exposed or to create interesting patterns when used on objects.

KIKO+ & GG*

kiko+ & gg* is a Japanese wooden toy brand founded by a female designer Kaz* Shiomi. The eco-friendly brand has been making toys for over 13 years and reinventing disposable plastic toys into longer lasting wooden creations. The items are always created with fun, functionality and design in mind. Products range from wooden gumball machines, magna doodles, retro pay phones, wooden friction vehicles to more educational and open-ended games. All toys are hand-crafted in small batches with sustainably-sourced wood and tested to the highest international safety standards.

KIMOTO GLASS TOKYO

With over eighty years of experience in the wholesale field, our mission is to share our unique perspective on a new world of glass products. Working with specialists in downtown Tokyo, experienced Edo Kiriko craftsmen and innovative designers, we connect these skilled glass professionals to bring a modern take on the highly sought-after traditional kiriko cut glass wares of Japan. With the goal to protect and develop the tradition, we pay full respect to a variety of glassmaking methods with the objective of producing glass tableware with the highest degree of perfection.

As glassware producers we have the ability to manufacture original glass tableware as well as glassware made of reused bottles. Custom projects are welcome, and we accept small lot requests. Orders for Edo Kiriko and Edo Glass production is also available. With a wide range of clients from major companies to famous brands, our network in Tokyo includes facilities and experienced individual craftsmen for specialized manufacturing and processing. Feel free to contact us and we will help you with our glass expertise.

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA is a Japanese sock company established in 1950.

We are dedicated to creating products that provide incomparable value to our customers. Under our concept “making your day extraordinary”

We are meticulous about selecting only the finest quality of natural materials, sophisticated designs, and knitting patterns all within a reasonable price setting.

NAWRAP

Maruyama Fiber Industry Co. Ltd was founded in Nara, Japan in 1930. Originally, the company specialized in manufacturing traditional mosquito nets, that were woven from cotton and hemp fabrics. In current day, still utilizing our traditional weaving technologies, have branched into lines of multipurpose eco cloths. The absorbent, yet quick-drying, soft, yet durable fabric is perfect for the contemporary home; carrying products for the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and more.

SGHR SUGAHARA

Founded in Tokyo in 1932, SGHR Sugahara is a handmade glassware brand with nearly 90 years of experience. Using expertise and intuition, master artisans design to capture the natural beauty of glass by hand making in their studio located in Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture. The collections include drinkware, plates, vases and many more for sophisticated modern living.

POLEPOLE ANIMAL

Polepole animals are designed and made by T-Lab. Established in 2001, T Lab makes original hand made animals. The items are hand carved from eco- sustainable wood, dried in an oven, then finally finished by hand, polished and carefully hand painted. Each individual piece is made from our hands to your hands, because warming people’s hearts is our philosophy.

SEKI KANETSUGU

Seki Kanetsugu is a kitchen knife maker founded in 1918 by Matsujiro Kawamura, the first president and the descendant of the swordsmith Kanetsugu.

Kanetsugu has a long history. The first generation started making swords in Seki during the Jowa era (1345-1349), and has continued to make Japanese swords for 520 years until 1871.

As we have inherited the tradition of swordsmiths, we incorporate the “Hamaguri blade” into kitchen knives, which is the cross-sectional blade shape of Japanese swords.

We realized that the indispensable qualities for knives characteristic of Sekiden Japanese swords are durability, straightness and sharpness.

In addition, our knives are made with the aim of being easy to use with long-lasting sharpness in response to changing lifestyles.

SIKIGU

SIKIGU is based in Osaka, Japan, the epicenter for paper processing. Since ancient times, Japanese culture has always incorporated paper in their daily life. Paper is not only used for writing and drawing, but also used for lighting, walls and other daily items. Sikigu utilizes the unique printing and paper processing techniques to develop paper containers for everyday use.

STYLE OF JAPAN

STYLE OF JAPAN(SOJ) is a chopsticks brand that creates a new chopsticks production culture while continuing the tradition and history of the 400-year-old chopsticks production in Fukui. Our vision is “HASHI for EARTH”. We use environmentally friendly "decarbonized" material for our chopsticks.

In our hometown, there is a beautiful forest of Fukui cedar trees that is regularly thinned for maintenance. This is because if the trees are left as they are, they will not absorb enough CO2 and it prevents healthy tree growth.

SOJ is making sustainable and effective use of the thinned wood with the value of "Pure Japan Made".

T. NISHIKAWA KYOTO

T. NISHIKAWA & Co., Inc. was established in 1917 in Kyoto, Japan. It’s conveniently located in the Gojozaka quarter, an area famous for its many kilns and ateliers dedicated to Kiyomizu ware. The company has three original Collections: Kayori, Kumo and Mitate. Each features unique designs. The company focuses on beautiful and functional pieces that suit modern everyday life while still maintaining the traditional characteristics of the origin.

SHAQUDA

We offer a revolutionary brush collection created through a fusion of craftsmanship and sophisticated design from Kumano, Japan’s renown brush making town. Our techniques date back nearly two centuries, yet our products integrate into modern lifestyles. Handmade brushes and simple designs add to the skincare experience, leaving pleasant sensations on the face and body. The concept of “enriching the world”, remains our company goal as we create products that elevate your mind, body and life.

TAKAZAWA CANDLE

Since 1892, our company has been mastering the art of candle making inspired by the nature of Japan. Each candle is made by hand, one at a time, to ensure a steady burn and the highest quality. We take great pride in bringing expertise of our craft into the atmosphere of homes in Japan and all around the world.

TOKYO KODO

TOKYO KODO originates from a traditional family-founded incense company established in 1935 that has been revitalized with the passions of the third generation, Chikako, and her husband Geoffrey. Beholding incense as an invisible art, the couple combines the ancient traditions of Japanese incense with the enchantment of French perfume.

YAHAE

We are a small sock factory that has been based in the town of Koryo,Nara Japan since 1921.

The name of “yahae” comes from our ancestors.

We make socks inspired by nature and history; a pair of socks knitted with materials pleasant for your feet and comfortable for your heart.

We believe that the socks you choose in the morning set the tone in giving you a comfortable life.

ZIKICO INC

I noticed that soup was more flavorful consumed directly from the bowl than with a spoon. It was the metallic odor of spoons that hid the true taste. ZIKICO produces zirconia-ceramic cutlery to savor the genuine flavors of food.

SHOP SHOWCASE JAPAN!

Shoppe Online, Showcase Japan, At The ShowHillaryJuly 29, 20215