Of course, I want you to do all of your shopping at Japanistic, but sometimes, I can possibly allow you to shop elsewhere. Now, there’s another option for Japanese handicrafts, and yeah, it’s a good one.
Just launched in english, iichi “started as a new project with a mission to connect Japanese craft-makers with users everywhere,
Our vision is to build a trusted marketplace that is open to the world.
In the near future, we plan to offer workshops, craft fairs and other unique iichi events. We sincerely hope to see you there.” (via)
Yup. They pretty much had me at iichi! But wait-there’s more.
“iichi is a new marketplace for Japanese handmade goods. Just as with other countries, there is a rich culture of handmade craft in this small island nation.
Each region offers an abundance of natural materials and traditions rooted in its own distinctive history and personality, and there always have been people who find fascination and fulfillment in using their own hands to create things.” (via)
Still growing, the site doesn’t have a ton of product yet, but I like the direction they’re going.
Small Plates from Yoshiaki Tadaki.
Yup, I would completely have made my little boy wear this Polka Dot Bowtie when he was little!
I cannot believe this gal is called Little Chubb Chubb!!
Little Chubb Chubb artist, Kumi Takada, also makes these Angel on a Swing folks, which are the size of your thumb.
Bird ring from Tools Van de Lune.
Cute Furoshiki from Kyoko Bowskill.
The rub? The shipping ain’t cheap. But for something that’s perfectly wonderful and totally unique, it’s worth treating yourself sometimes, don’t you think?
It is my ideal to make pieces that are infused with nostalgia.
