Story

  • Kumamoto earthquake relief project

    I will be donating part of our sales of this month towards the rebuilding efforts for Kumamoto Castle, which was destroyed by the devastating ear...
  • Hirazumi Shoten's Igusa ornament

    I went to meet the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hirazumi who make Shimenawa wall hangings with the Igusa plants. Kumamoto is known for Igusa plants which a...
  • Seiko-En Igusa products

    My hometown Kumamoto is known for the rich environment to grow Igusa plants and there are many farms and factories who make the tatami mats. ...
  • Kai family's straw ornament

    Driving 3+ hours and going across the Aso mountain from my parents house, I visited the Kai family in Miyazaki prefecture to learn how they make t...
  • Clay dolls from Mr. Miyawaki

    Mr. Miyawaki lives in Beppu in Oita prefecture, which is known for its hot spring village in Kyushu Japan. When I saw Mr. Miyawakis’ dolls years ag...
  • Kakishibu fan

    Kakishibu Uchiwa is a persimmon tannin dyed paper fan. There are actually a few well known paper fan manufacturers in my hometown but I decided to...
  • Nakadera Kiln

    Visiting Nishikawa family's kiln. Nakadera kiln was started in 1991 by Kousei Nishikawa who was born in 1951. Before he started his own kiln he tr...
  • Shimoura clay doll

    Memory of the studio visit to buy the clay dolls in Amakusa, Kumamoto. Driving more than three hours from my parents home, I went to see the craf...
  • Fumoto kiln

    Visiting Inoue family of Fumoto kiln. (on another rainy day!) When I visit them their daughter Miho welcomed me and kindly showed me their studio. ...
  • Mizuho Kiln

    Visiting the ceramicist Loui Fukuda of Mizuho Kiln in the heavy rain.  (Somehow, I tend to hit heavy rain or snow when I go on trips... ) Her c...
  • Konohazaru clay dolls

    Visiting the craftsman of Konohazaru monkey dolls. The craftsman Reizo and his daughter welcomed me.  Reizo showed me the magazine which shows...