Takumi Japan

        Tweetvar fbShare = {size: ‘small’,}         
(function() {
var po = document.createElement(‘script’); po.type = ‘text/javascript’; po.async = true;
po.src = ‘https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js’;
var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s);
})();

At Japan Week last weekend March 6-8 in New York City, Takumi Japan was on hand sharing some cool products from some of Japan’s small businesses and artisans.

TAKUMI JAPAN is a project aiming to introduce the thriving Japanese small business community to new markets and to share the tradition, design and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans and craftsmen.

TAKUMI, which literally translates to “artisan” in Japanese, brought small craft and design companies to showcase their products representing the quality crafts and goods local Japanese artisans have created.

There were businesses with long histories present such as Odakodoki, which was founded in 1925.  They make products ranging from large bronze items including temple bells and statues to artistically decorative craftworks such as flower vases.  Check out this Iced Coffee Cup.  Outstanding skills in creation!  I’d love to add a set of these to my coffee bar.

What Hello Kitty fan wouldn’t want to eat their dinner from this beautiful laquer bowl from Sato Company, who was also part of TAKUMI JAPAN at Japan Week?

Kyuji Sato’s Japanese lacquer ware business is over 65 years old, but Kawatsura-shikki, the main industry in the region of Yuzawa, Akita, and its history began way back in the Kamakura-Period (1193)!  Kawatsura-shikki was eventually designated as a Japanese traditional craft in 1976. In 2010 Sato’s products received Best Craft at Akita Local Products Development Competition in Japan.

I can see why, this bowl is stunning as a collector’s item and as a usable piece.

Or how about these:

They are made by Yamaguchi Craft Co.Ltd.  In 2001 they launched their Hacoa brand specializing in miscellaneous goods designed from wood. In 2002 they were in the spotlight when they were
commissioned to create a name box for Princess Aiko, daughter of the Crown Prince, to celebrate her birth!!  You know you’re getting some quality goods with that endorsement! 

The idea for the wooden keyboards (and their other products) is of finding natural harmony within a digitalized environment.  The presence of wooden items can bring the impression of nature into a digital environment, creating a calm space where people feel they can relax.  And I completely agree, those keyboards definitely give off that aura, and to go one further it makes a lovely sound like the voice of the forest when you type!

Mimatsu Craft Ltd makes the Glasses Place and Mobile Catcher.  Both of which I need, as I’m constantly putting my glasses and phone in places that I can’t remember!

I really wish I could have been at Japanese Week to see all the items that were presented from TAKUMI JAPAN and their artisans.  The photos and despcriptions are interesting in themselves, to physcially be able to take them in (and maybe even buy some!) would have been a lot of fun. 

Check out their website which shows more of what was presented at Japan Week, besides the items in this post.  There were other housewares, textiles and household items from many Japanese artisans.  Which items do you like best?  Tell me in the comments!

var idcomments_post_id = ‘03132014’
var idcomments_post_url = ‘http://www.threedifferentdirections.com/blog/takumi-japan.html’;