Travel stories, unexpected encounters and the crafts that make Japan worth going back for.

Every piece in the shop started somewhere.

Here is where I write about the travel, the people, and the crafts behind it and how to take care of them.

Sourcing diaries from regular trips. Warm encounters with collectors and makers. And the beautiful landscapes.

Deep dives into the traditions I keep returning to: urushi lacquerware, kokeshi, chawan, haori…. And the quiet details that make Japanese craft worth seeking out

Stories from my journal

A vibrant scene at the Tenjin-san antique market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, featuring colorful vintage silk kimonos with floral patterns hanging in the foreground, with the large stone torii gate and market stalls blurred in the background.

Hannah 07/04/2026 Hannah 07/04/2026

How to live with kokeshi: placing a Japanese wooden figure in a modern home

A kokeshi placed well in a room is more powerful than five grouped without thought. Here is what I have learned about height, background, and the quiet effect of giving one figure enough space to simply stand.