This lightweight bandana is a part of a collection that features colors that have been cherished in Japan for centuries. Many of these colors derive their names from nature.

Hiwa (siskin) is a small bird with pretty yellow-green wings that is adored in Japanese culture. Hiwa appear in The Pillow Book, a famous 11th century collection of essays written by a court lady.

It is infinitely versatile; wear it around the neck, cover the head, wrap your lunchbox or use it however you'd like. 

Specifications

• 100% cotton
• Approx. 19” x 20" after washing
• Machine wash (laundry mesh bag recommended), shape by hand and line dry
• Made in Japan

Who Makes it

Yamamoto Jin Shoten of Kyoto is a textile converter that has been in business since the 18th century. Combining tradition with modern taste, they produce apparel and small textile goods. The bandanas are dyed in Osaka and sewn in Kyoto and Osaka.

These bracelets are made of silk thread and braided using the kumihimo technique, which has been practiced for over a thousand years in Japan. Kumihimo creates functional as well as decorative braided cords.

The bracelets employ two types of kumihimo techniques. The brown, orange, yellow and blue bracelets are made in "China braid" style while the beige, red and green ones are in "Edo braid" style. "China braid" uses finer threads and 16 bobbins, giving the cords a smooth surface and a "square tube" appearance. They are then tweaked so they twist naturally. "Edo braid" uses 8 bobbins to beautifully showcases a medley of colors. 

All bracelets are fastened with odamaki, a small ball that symbolizes continuity and good luck. The bracelet can also be worn as a choker when stretched.

Specifications

• 100% silk
• 14" long (can stretch a little bit); fits small to medium wrists
• Comes in a box
• Avoid contact with water; silk thread is not treated with water repellent 
• Excessive friction against bracelets may cause fraying
• Made in Kyoto

Who Makes It

Showen Kumihimo was founded in 1948 in Kyoto. From dying to plying and twisting, all the processes for preparing thread are done in-house. The thread is then braided into kumihimo and handcrafted into various accessories by artisans.

Toiro is a collection of lightweight bandanas with prints inspired by traditional Japanese motifs. The wave pattern originated in ancient Persia and traveled along the Silk Road before finally reaching Japan. The motif, called seigaiha, is treasured by the Japanese, who find eternal peace and happiness in the endless waves.

This bandana is infinitely versatile; wear it around the neck, cover the head, wrap your lunchbox or use it for any other purpose you like. 

Specifications

• 100% cotton
• 21⅝” x 22" after washing
• Machine wash (laundry mesh bag recommended), shape by hand and line dry
• Made in Japan

Who Makes it

Yamamoto Jin Shoten of Kyoto is a textile converter that has been in business since the 18th century. Combining tradition with modern taste, they produce apparel and small textile goods. The bandanas are dyed in Osaka and sewn in Kyoto and Osaka.

These bracelets are made of silk thread and braided using the kumihimotechnique, which has been practiced for over a thousand years in Japan.Kumihimo creates functional as well as decorative braided cords.

These simple kumihimo cords have an odamaki, a small ball that symbolizes continuity and good luck. They are made in Kyoto using old braiding machines and finished by hand.

As the bracelet does not have any metal parts, it is suitable to wear for people allergic to metals. Wear one or several of these kumihimo bracelets on your wrist to accentuate any outfit.

Specifications

• 100% silk
• Adjustable to fit up to about 8" wrist (bracelets can stretch a little bit)
• Avoid contact with water; silk thread is not treated with water repellent 
• Excessive friction against bracelets may cause fraying
• Made in Kyoto

Who Makes It

Showen Kumihimo was founded in 1948 in Kyoto. From dying to plying and twisting, all the processes for preparing thread are done in-house. The thread is then braided into kumihimo and handcrafted into various accessories by artisans.

These serious yet comical looking cat figurines are maneki neko (beckoning cat), which in Japan are believed to bring good luck to the owner. Maneki nekofigurines are made throughout Japan, and different regions are known for their characteristic designs. Our maneki neko are made in Kounosu, located 30 miles northwest of Tokyo.

These cats are made of a mixture of kiri (paulownia) sawdust and gluten-based glue. The unique material was developed when Kounosu thrived as a manufacturing center for kiri furniture chests. Toy making was conceived as a way to upcycle the large amounts of sawdust produced during furniture making.

There are three sizes (S,M,L) and only small size comes in six colors.

Specifications

• Kiri (paulownia) sawdust and gluten based glue
• Large: 5"(H) x 3¼"(D) x 3"(W)
• Medium: 3¼"(H) x 2¼"(D) x 2¼"(W)
• Small: 2⅝"(H) x 1⅝"(D) x 1⅝"(W)
• Each piece is handmade and measurements are approximate
• Made in Japan

 Who Makes it

Tachiya has been handcrafting traditional Japanese dolls for over 150 years. 

Hōrin is a collection of incense created with all natural materials for relaxation and calming the senses. Burn time is relatively short, but the scent remains in the air long afterward.

Horikawa - Named after an old creek in Kyoto, Horikawa is the most popular in the collection. The scent is built on sandalwood and is sweet in the most disarming way. It makes you feel like you are relaxing at a beautiful Japanese inn.

Genroku - Genroku is a blend of sandalwood and aloeswood and its scent is the most traditional among the four. Without the sweetness of Horikawa or Shirakawa, the scent of Genroku is woodsy and very calming.

Shirakawa - Shirakawa is the newest addition to the collection. The scent is similar to that of Horikawa, but the sweetness of sandalwood is more restrained. 

Nijō - Nijō is akin to Shirakawa, but with slight woodsy and musk notes. It is modern and relaxing.

Specifications

• Box contains twenty 2¾" sticks and a small incense holder
• Each stick burns approx. 15 minutes
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Shōyeidō has been making incense for over 300 years in Kyoto. Their experienced craftsmen carefully select and blend precious natural ingredients to create traditional and modern scents.

Hiba is a conifer in the cypress family native to Japan. The light-colored tree has a mildly woody scent and is rich in hinokitiol, an anti-bacterial compound.

Natural Noto Hiba Chopsticks are made of hiba trees that are cut to thin out the forests in the Noto Peninsula. Thinning reduces overcrowding and promotes healthy forest growth. 

No chemicals or bleach are used in the manufacturing process in these natural chopsticks, and the surface is left untreated; no varnish, lacquer or oil has been applied. They hold food very securely, especially slippery foods such as tofu and noodles.

The chopsticks are decoratively tied with sanada himo, a tightly woven traditional Japanese cotton ribbon. The butterfly-shaped knots are modeled after the wrapping pattern of Japanese katana handles. 

Specifications

• Hiba (Taujopsis dolabrate) grown and processed in Ishikawa
• Child size: 7" long; Regular size: 9⅜" long; Cooking size: 11⅝" long
• Hand wash with water and dry naturally. Do not use dishwasher.
• It is natural for the color to change slightly after repeated use
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

The Ishikawa Local Timber Revitalization Project is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2013 to promote the healthy and sustainable growth of local forests. They teamed up with the Kosumi Chopstick Studio, which produces chopsticks using old-fashioned machinery, to create Natural Noto Hiba Chopsticks. 

This is a 100% natural disinfectant spray made of distilled Noto hiba water. Hiba is a conifer native to Japan known for its antibacterial and deodorizing properties. The trees are widely planted in the Noto Peninsula, which juts out to the Sea of Japan.

NOTOHIBAKARA (literally means "from Noto hiba") Essential Water is the cooled vapor collected after hiba wood pieces are distilled by steam distillation method. The process yields two substances: essential oil and accumulated vapor called floral water. NOTOHIBAKARA Essential Water is the floral water, naturally enriched with hiba's disinfectant properties and subtly scented with woodsy essential oil.

Hiba tree pieces used to make NOTOHIBAKARA Essential Water are leftover hiba pieces after making building foundations. The pieces are chopped into about 1-inch size and distilled. After the distillation, they are crashed into smaller pieces for use as mulch, thus completing a perfect recycling process.

Spritz NOTOHIBAKARA Essential Water in rooms and on kitchen, bathroom and fabric surfaces to disinfect and deodorize. Its subtle, woody scent will refresh the air and calm the senses. 

Specifications

• Ingredients: distilled hiba water
• 200ml (6.76 fl. oz.); approximately 600 sprays
• The white tab under the trigger is a stopper. Slide it to unlock to spray.
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Kaga Mokuzai was founded in Kanazawa in 1900 as a lumber shop and has since evolved into a building materials company. The company strives to achieve a healthy, sustainable business model by producing less waste, recycling and contributing a robust growth of local forest.

These are aluminum clothespins ubiquitous in Japan until around the 1970s. The rise of plastics and cheap foreign imports all but wiped them out, but thanks to one company the classic aluminum clothespins are still in production in Tokyo.

The aluminum clothespins are light, and compared to plastic and wooden pins, have a stronger grip and a longer life for outdoor use. Their use is not limited to holding clothes to dry: they are perfect for closing snack bags and for use at camp. 

Specifications

• Round - 2⅛" (H) x 11/16" (W)
• Square -  2⅛" (H) x ⅝" (W)
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Nanmoku Manufacturing is the only company in Japan that specializes in making aluminum clothespins. The family-owned company has been in business since 1947 in Tokyo and is now headed by the third generation working with the next generation of children.

These are aluminum clothespins ubiquitous in Japan until around the 1970s. The rise of plastics and cheap foreign imports all but wiped them out, but thanks to one company the classic aluminum clothespins are still in production in Tokyo.

The aluminum clothespins are light, and compared to plastic and wooden pins, have a stronger grip and a longer life for outdoor use. 

This particular style is called dolphin because it looks like a dolphin's head when looked from the side. The dolphins have a strong grip and suited for holding thicker objects.

Specifications

• 2½" (H) x ⅞" (W)
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Nanmoku Manufacturing is the only company in Japan that specializes in making aluminum clothespins. The family-owned company has been in business since 1947 in Tokyo and is now headed by the third generation working with the next generation of children.

These are aluminum clothespins ubiquitous in Japan until around the 1970s. The rise of plastics and cheap foreign imports all but wiped them out, but thanks to one company the classic aluminum clothespins are still in production in Tokyo.

The aluminum clothespins are light, and compared to plastic and wooden pins, have a stronger grip and a longer life for outdoor use. Their use is not limited to holding clothes to dry: they are perfect for closing snack bags and for use at camp. 

Specifications

• Round - 2⅛" (H) x 11/16" (W)
• Square -  2⅛" (H) x ⅝" (W)
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Nanmoku Manufacturing is the only company in Japan that specializes in making aluminum clothespins. The family-owned company has been in business since 1947 in Tokyo and is now headed by the third generation working with the next generation of children.

These are aluminum clothespins ubiquitous in Japan until around the 1970s. The rise of plastics and cheap foreign imports all but wiped them out, but thanks to one company the classic aluminum clothespins are still in production in Tokyo.

The aluminum clothespins are light, and compared to plastic and wooden pins, have a stronger grip and a longer life for outdoor use. 

This particular style is called shark because of its sharp, tooth-like edges and a strong grip. The sharks are mainly used in Hokkaido to hang dry kombu (kelp to make dashi) on the beach that is harvested from the sea. They are perfect to use in gardening and other outdoor activities.

Specifications

• 2½" (H) x ⅝" (W)
• Made in Japan

Who Makes It

Nanmoku Manufacturing is the only company in Japan that specializes in making aluminum clothespins. The family-owned company has been in business since 1947 in Tokyo and is now headed by the third generation working with the next generation of children.