{"title":"Craft Goods","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"rikawasha-fan","title":"Kurikawa Shoten Shomaru Uchiwa Fan - Tan","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"532\"\u003eCrafted in Kyoto by \u003cstrong data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"439\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e, this hand-finished \u003cem data-start=\"460\" data-end=\"468\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fan is both an object of refinement and eminent practicality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"534\" data-end=\"856\"\u003eEach fan is made entirely by hand from just four natural materials: Japanese \u003cem data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"618\"\u003ewashi\u003c\/em\u003e paper, bamboo, persimmon tannin, and rice-derived glue.\u003cbr data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"677\"\u003eThe persimmon tannin—deeply rooted in traditional craft—acts as a natural preservative and insect repellent, while imparting a warm, amber hue that deepens beautifully with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"1070\"\u003eWe’ve selected three of Kurikawa’s most beloved everyday models. You may choose to decorate your fan with paint or calligraphy, or leave it in its pure, unadorned state—an ode to the quiet beauty of simplicity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1131\"\u003eYou can watch a video of their production process \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qgC8YRICqC8\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1538\"\u003eSpecialized production of \u003cem data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1191\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e began around 1600, when a traveling priest from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1257\"\u003eMarugame City\u003c\/strong\u003e—famous for its fans—shared his techniques with artisans in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1317\" data-end=\"1327\"\u003eKutami\u003c\/strong\u003e, a city known for its fine paper, in exchange for a night’s lodging. Over centuries, Kyoto craftsmen further refined the form, transforming a simple cooling tool into an art of proportion, balance, and grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1708\"\u003eToday, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e is the only remaining workshop that unites and preserves the traditions of all three major fan-making centers: Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1710\" data-end=\"1781\"\u003eJapanese \u003cem data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1727\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans are typically classified into five archetypes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1844\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1795\"\u003eBussen\u003c\/strong\u003e – wide and round, used by monks and in temples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1856\"\u003eKoban\u003c\/strong\u003e – oval, named after the Edo-era gold coin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1914\"\u003eShomaru\u003c\/strong\u003e – small, balanced, and perfectly portable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"1971\"\u003eSensen\u003c\/strong\u003e – refined, formal fans for ceremonial use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2029\"\u003eNagadai\u003c\/strong\u003e – elongated, with a graceful vertical silhouette\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fans we've sourced are examples of \u003cem\u003eshomaru\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2268\"\u003eIntroduced to Japan from China during the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2175\"\u003eKofun period (300–710 CE)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fan has evolved over more than a millennium through ritual, adaptation, and artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2270\" data-end=\"2488\"\u003eIn Japan, the \u003cem data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2292\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e serves many roles: a means of relief in the summer heat, a gesture of modesty in courtly life, a spiritual talisman to repel evil, and a sign of status and refinement in Noh and Kabuki theater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eAmong everyday citizens, \u003cem data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2523\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans remain tools of daily life—used to coax the flames of a charcoal grill (\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003estill observable in Shinjuku's \u003cem\u003eOmoide Yokocho\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e, to stir incense smoke, or to drive away insects in the humid countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eEven today, they’re gifted at festivals and celebrations as emblems of goodwill and good fortune, a wish for gentle winds in the heat of the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003eThe Brand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eFounded in Kyoto during the Meiji era, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2906\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e continues to produce handmade \u003cem data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"2945\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e in the same way they have for over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eAs the last workshop bridging the traditions of Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto, they embody a rare continuity—preserving not only the techniques of fan-making but the spirit of patience, humility, and care that defines Japanese craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3335\"\u003eWe’ve chosen three of their most classic, everyday models: durable, graceful, and quietly indispensable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3360\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003eThese fans are an archetype of what Italian designer \u003cstrong data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3436\"\u003eAchille Castiglioni\u003c\/strong\u003e called \u003cem data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3462\"\u003eanonymous design\u003c\/em\u003e—forms without a single known author, perfected through generations of use and necessity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3555\" data-end=\"3845\"\u003eCastiglioni believed that anonymous design, born from collective wisdom rather than individual ambition, often surpassed authored design in both function and beauty.\u003cbr data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3723\"\u003eIn that sense, the \u003cem data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3750\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e is a masterpiece of the vernacular: an object honed not by innovation, but by understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680002294011,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Rikawasha-Fan-Tan_18a50f0e-c8a0-4384-9690-cad32b12819f.jpg?v=1762446019"},{"product_id":"kurikawa-shoten-fan-tan-copy","title":"Kurikawa Shoten Shomaru Uchiwa Fan - Red","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"532\"\u003eCrafted in Kyoto by \u003cstrong data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"439\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e, this hand-finished \u003cem data-start=\"460\" data-end=\"468\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fan is both an object of refinement and eminent practicality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"534\" data-end=\"856\"\u003eEach fan is made entirely by hand from just four natural materials: Japanese \u003cem data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"618\"\u003ewashi\u003c\/em\u003e paper, bamboo, persimmon tannin, and rice-derived glue.\u003cbr data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"677\"\u003eThe persimmon tannin—deeply rooted in traditional craft—acts as a natural preservative and insect repellent, while imparting a warm, amber hue that deepens beautifully with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"1070\"\u003eWe’ve selected three of Kurikawa’s most beloved everyday models. You may choose to decorate your fan with paint or calligraphy, or leave it in its pure, unadorned state—an ode to the quiet beauty of simplicity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1131\"\u003eYou can watch a video of their production process \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qgC8YRICqC8\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1538\"\u003eSpecialized production of \u003cem data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1191\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e began around 1600, when a traveling priest from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1257\"\u003eMarugame City\u003c\/strong\u003e—famous for its fans—shared his techniques with artisans in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1317\" data-end=\"1327\"\u003eKutami\u003c\/strong\u003e, a city known for its fine paper, in exchange for a night’s lodging. Over centuries, Kyoto craftsmen further refined the form, transforming a simple cooling tool into an art of proportion, balance, and grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1708\"\u003eToday, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e is the only remaining workshop that unites and preserves the traditions of all three major fan-making centers: Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1710\" data-end=\"1781\"\u003eJapanese \u003cem data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1727\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans are typically classified into five archetypes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1844\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1844\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1795\"\u003eBussen\u003c\/strong\u003e – wide and round, used by monks and in temples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1845\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1856\"\u003eKoban\u003c\/strong\u003e – oval, named after the Edo-era gold coin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1914\"\u003eShomaru\u003c\/strong\u003e – small, balanced, and perfectly portable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1959\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"1971\"\u003eSensen\u003c\/strong\u003e – refined, formal fans for ceremonial use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2016\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2029\"\u003eNagadai\u003c\/strong\u003e – elongated, with a graceful vertical silhouette\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fans we've sourced are examples of \u003cem\u003eshomaru\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2268\"\u003eIntroduced to Japan from China during the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2175\"\u003eKofun period (300–710 CE)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fan has evolved over more than a millennium through ritual, adaptation, and artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2270\" data-end=\"2488\"\u003eIn Japan, the \u003cem data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2292\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e serves many roles: a means of relief in the summer heat, a gesture of modesty in courtly life, a spiritual talisman to repel evil, and a sign of status and refinement in Noh and Kabuki theater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eAmong everyday citizens, \u003cem data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2523\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans remain tools of daily life—used to coax the flames of a charcoal grill (\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003estill observable in Shinjuku's \u003cem\u003eOmoide Yokocho\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e, to stir incense smoke, or to drive away insects in the humid countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eEven today, they’re gifted at festivals and celebrations as emblems of goodwill and good fortune, a wish for gentle winds in the heat of the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003eThe Brand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eFounded in Kyoto during the Meiji era, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2906\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e continues to produce handmade \u003cem data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"2945\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e in the same way they have for over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eAs the last workshop bridging the traditions of Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto, they embody a rare continuity—preserving not only the techniques of fan-making but the spirit of patience, humility, and care that defines Japanese craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3335\"\u003eWe’ve chosen three of their most classic, everyday models: durable, graceful, and quietly indispensable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3360\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003eThese fans are an archetype of what Italian designer \u003cstrong data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3436\"\u003eAchille Castiglioni\u003c\/strong\u003e called \u003cem data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3462\"\u003eanonymous design\u003c\/em\u003e—forms without a single known author, perfected through generations of use and necessity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3555\" data-end=\"3845\"\u003eCastiglioni believed that anonymous design, born from collective wisdom rather than individual ambition, often surpassed authored design in both function and beauty.\u003cbr data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3723\"\u003eIn that sense, the \u003cem data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3750\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e is a masterpiece of the vernacular: an object honed not by innovation, but by understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680046170363,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Rikawasha-Fan-Red.jpg?v=1762446252"},{"product_id":"kurikawa-shoten-shomaru-uchiwa-fan-red-copy","title":"Kurikawa Shoten Shomaru Uchiwa Fan - Black","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"398\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"532\"\u003eCrafted in Kyoto by \u003cstrong data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"439\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e, this hand-finished \u003cem data-start=\"460\" data-end=\"468\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fan is both an object of refinement and eminent practicality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"534\" data-end=\"856\"\u003eEach fan is made entirely by hand from just four natural materials: Japanese \u003cem data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"618\"\u003ewashi\u003c\/em\u003e paper, bamboo, persimmon tannin, and rice-derived glue.\u003cbr data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"677\"\u003eThe persimmon tannin—deeply rooted in traditional craft—acts as a natural preservative and insect repellent, while imparting a warm, amber hue that deepens beautifully with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"1070\"\u003eWe’ve selected three of Kurikawa’s most beloved everyday models. You may choose to decorate your fan with paint or calligraphy, or leave it in its pure, unadorned state—an ode to the quiet beauty of simplicity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1131\"\u003eYou can watch a video of their production process \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qgC8YRICqC8\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1538\"\u003eSpecialized production of \u003cem data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1191\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e began around 1600, when a traveling priest from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1257\"\u003eMarugame City\u003c\/strong\u003e—famous for its fans—shared his techniques with artisans in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1317\" data-end=\"1327\"\u003eKutami\u003c\/strong\u003e, a city known for its fine paper, in exchange for a night’s lodging. Over centuries, Kyoto craftsmen further refined the form, transforming a simple cooling tool into an art of proportion, balance, and grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1708\"\u003eToday, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e is the only remaining workshop that unites and preserves the traditions of all three major fan-making centers: Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1710\" data-end=\"1781\"\u003eJapanese \u003cem data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1727\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans are typically classified into five archetypes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1844\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1844\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1795\"\u003eBussen\u003c\/strong\u003e – wide and round, used by monks and in temples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1845\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1856\"\u003eKoban\u003c\/strong\u003e – oval, named after the Edo-era gold coin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1914\"\u003eShomaru\u003c\/strong\u003e – small, balanced, and perfectly portable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1959\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"1971\"\u003eSensen\u003c\/strong\u003e – refined, formal fans for ceremonial use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2016\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2029\"\u003eNagadai\u003c\/strong\u003e – elongated, with a graceful vertical silhouette\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fans we've sourced are examples of \u003cem\u003eshomaru\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"963\" data-start=\"948\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2268\"\u003eIntroduced to Japan from China during the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2175\"\u003eKofun period (300–710 CE)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fan has evolved over more than a millennium through ritual, adaptation, and artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2270\" data-end=\"2488\"\u003eIn Japan, the \u003cem data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2292\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e serves many roles: a means of relief in the summer heat, a gesture of modesty in courtly life, a spiritual talisman to repel evil, and a sign of status and refinement in Noh and Kabuki theater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eAmong everyday citizens, \u003cem data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2523\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e fans remain tools of daily life—used to coax the flames of a charcoal grill (\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003estill observable in Shinjuku's \u003cem\u003eOmoide Yokocho\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e, to stir incense smoke, or to drive away insects in the humid countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2826\"\u003eEven today, they’re gifted at festivals and celebrations as emblems of goodwill and good fortune, a wish for gentle winds in the heat of the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1383\" data-start=\"1370\"\u003eThe Brand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eFounded in Kyoto during the Meiji era, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2906\"\u003eKurikawa Shoten\u003c\/strong\u003e continues to produce handmade \u003cem data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"2945\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e in the same way they have for over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eAs the last workshop bridging the traditions of Marugame, Kutami, and Kyoto, they embody a rare continuity—preserving not only the techniques of fan-making but the spirit of patience, humility, and care that defines Japanese craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3335\"\u003eWe’ve chosen three of their most classic, everyday models: durable, graceful, and quietly indispensable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1768\" data-start=\"1755\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3360\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003eThese fans are an archetype of what Italian designer \u003cstrong data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3436\"\u003eAchille Castiglioni\u003c\/strong\u003e called \u003cem data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3462\"\u003eanonymous design\u003c\/em\u003e—forms without a single known author, perfected through generations of use and necessity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3555\" data-end=\"3845\"\u003eCastiglioni believed that anonymous design, born from collective wisdom rather than individual ambition, often surpassed authored design in both function and beauty.\u003cbr data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3723\"\u003eIn that sense, the \u003cem data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3750\"\u003euchiwa\u003c\/em\u003e is a masterpiece of the vernacular: an object honed not by innovation, but by understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680047284475,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Rikawasha-Fan-Black.jpg?v=1762446282"},{"product_id":"kokeshii-doll-by-sato-zenji-naruko-kei-miyagi-prefecture","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Sato Zenji (Naruko-Kei, Miyagi Prefecture)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"676\"\u003eHand-carved and hand-painted in the Naruko style, this \u003cem data-start=\"283\" data-end=\"292\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e doll by master craftsman \u003cstrong data-start=\"318\" data-end=\"332\"\u003eSato Zenji\u003c\/strong\u003e embodies the quiet precision and warmth of Tōhoku’s folk traditions. Each doll is made from a single piece of mizuki (dogwood) wood, turned on a lathe, and finished with natural pigments and wax. The head and body are joined with a friction fit, allowing for a subtle, satisfying squeak when turned, a signature feature of the Naruko lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"678\" data-end=\"868\"\u003eNo two are identical. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe slender body, decorated with fine red \u003cem data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"603\"\u003ekasane-jima\u003c\/em\u003e bands, and the stylized floral hair ornaments are hallmarks of the region’s design language: restrained yet tenderly expressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"891\" data-end=\"912\"\u003eSato Zenji (佐藤善治)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a second-generation \u003cem data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"945\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e artisan from Naruko Onsen, one of the six traditional \u003cem data-start=\"1000\" data-end=\"1009\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e lineages (\u003cem data-start=\"1020\" data-end=\"1025\"\u003ekei\u003c\/em\u003e) of the Tōhoku region. Carrying forward techniques passed down since the Edo period, Sato’s work is known for its refined proportions, luminous finishes, and the tender humanity of its expressions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1677\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1249\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1677\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1261\"\u003eKokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e dolls originated in the late Edo period (1603–1868) as children’s toys and souvenirs for visitors to the hot springs of northern Japan. Artisans in each village developed their own distinctive styles, reflecting regional character and aesthetic sensibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1677\"\u003eThe Naruko style—defined by its straight body, rounded head, and vividly painted chrysanthemum or plum-blossom motifs—is among the oldest and most beloved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1699\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003eIn Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1721\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e are often said to embody the spirit of \u003cem data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1772\"\u003eyasashisa\u003c\/em\u003e—gentleness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. Over time, they’ve come to represent both nostalgia for rural craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of imperfection. To hold one is to feel the intimacy of handwork, the rhythm of seasonal life, and the quiet persistence of a tradition kept alive through care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680567050491,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Sato-Zenji.jpg?v=1762462677"},{"product_id":"kokeshii-doll-by-niiyama-yoshinori-togatta-kei-miyagi-prefecture","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Niiyama Yoshinori (Togatta-Kei, Miyagi Prefecture)","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"676\" data-start=\"213\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"225\" data-start=\"213\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"401\" data-end=\"734\"\u003eCarved from \u003cem data-start=\"413\" data-end=\"421\"\u003emizuki\u003c\/em\u003e (dogwood) wood and hand-painted in vivid red and black, this \u003cem data-start=\"483\" data-end=\"492\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003cstrong data-start=\"496\" data-end=\"517\"\u003eNiiyama Yoshinori\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the quiet refinement of the Togatta school. The doll’s elongated neck, soft shoulders, and cascading \u003cem data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"640\"\u003ebenibana\u003c\/em\u003e (safflower) motif are signatures of the style—balanced, feminine, and slightly melancholic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"736\" data-end=\"1023\"\u003eEach face is delicately brushed with fine black lines and a gentle flush across the cheeks, evoking the modest, composed expression characteristic of Tōhoku artisanship. Its minimal form conceals an extraordinary precision: symmetry held in tension with the irregularities of the hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1225\" data-start=\"875\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"888\" data-start=\"875\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1474\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1079\"\u003eNiiyama Yoshinori (新山 義徳)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a contemporary \u003cem data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1107\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e craftsman working in Togatta Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture, where the tradition dates back over two centuries. Known for his elegant restraint and painterly control, Niiyama continues the legacy of the \u003cem data-start=\"1309\" data-end=\"1318\"\u003eNiiyama\u003c\/em\u003e family lineage, emphasizing the subtle individuality of each piece rather than strict replication—a living testament to the handmade spirit of the craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1677\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1249\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1677\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"1261\" data-start=\"1252\"\u003eKokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e dolls originated in the late Edo period (1603–1868) as children’s toys and souvenirs for visitors to the hot springs of northern Japan. Artisans in each village developed their own distinctive styles, reflecting regional character and aesthetic sensibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1677\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003eTogatta-kei\u003c\/strong\u003e lineage is the oldest of the six canonical \u003cem data-start=\"1568\" data-end=\"1577\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e schools, emerging in the late Edo period as hot spring souvenirs for visitors to the mountain spa town of Togatta. Its dolls are distinguished by a small head, long tapering body, and decorative floral patterns rendered in vivid vermilion. The safflower design, in particular, symbolizes warmth and vitality, echoing the geothermal life of the region itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2081\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1699\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2081\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eIn Japan, \u003cem data-end=\"1721\" data-start=\"1712\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e are often said to embody the spirit of \u003cem data-end=\"1772\" data-start=\"1761\"\u003eyasashisa\u003c\/em\u003e—gentleness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. Over time, they’ve come to represent both nostalgia for rural craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of imperfection. To hold one is to feel the intimacy of handwork, the rhythm of seasonal life, and the quiet persistence of a tradition kept alive through care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680569344251,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Niiyama-Yoshinori.jpg?v=1762463176"},{"product_id":"kokeshi-doll-by-niiyama-minoru-togatta-kei-miyagi-prefecture","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Niiyama Minoru (Togatta-Kei, Miyagi Prefecture)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"840\"\u003eTurned from \u003cem data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"403\"\u003emizuki\u003c\/em\u003e (dogwood) wood and finished by hand, this \u003cem data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"455\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003cstrong data-start=\"459\" data-end=\"477\"\u003eNiiyama Minoru\u003c\/strong\u003e exemplifies the quiet power of the Togatta lineage. Its sharply tapered form and deep black banding create a rhythm both architectural and human, minimal yet full of character. The painted \u003cem data-start=\"666\" data-end=\"674\"\u003emabuta\u003c\/em\u003e (eyelids) and pursed lips convey a serene, almost knowing expression, while the dark palette lends the piece a modern, sculptural gravity uncommon among its peers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"990\"\u003eNo two kokeshi are identical and every mark is intentional. The contrast of black against the warm grain of wood evokes the elemental simplicity that defines Japanese folk design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1017\" data-end=\"1042\"\u003eNiiyama Minoru (新山 實)\u003c\/strong\u003e is part of the \u003cem data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1067\"\u003eNiiyama\u003c\/em\u003e family line of \u003cem data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1092\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e makers from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1122\"\u003eTogatta Onsen\u003c\/strong\u003e, Miyagi Prefecture—a lineage renowned for its purity of form and painterly restraint. His work reflects both fidelity to tradition and subtle experimentation: a dialogue between inheritance and individuality. Each doll carries the quiet imprint of Minoru’s hand, its imperfections adding to its vitality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1677\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1249\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1859\"\u003eThe\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eTogatta-kei is the oldest among the six traditional \u003cem data-start=\"1520\" data-end=\"1529\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e schools of the Tōhoku region, originating as souvenirs sold to travelers visiting the region’s volcanic hot springs during the late Edo period. Characterized by long, narrow bodies and finely painted linear motifs, the style is both humble and elegant—rooted in the rhythms of rural craftsmanship and the flow of mountain life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1699\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003eIn Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1721\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e are often said to embody the spirit of \u003cem data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1772\"\u003eyasashisa\u003c\/em\u003e—gentleness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. Over time, they’ve come to represent both nostalgia for rural craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of imperfection. To hold one is to feel the intimacy of handwork, the rhythm of seasonal life, and the quiet persistence of a tradition kept alive through care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680614859003,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Niiyama-Minoru.jpg?v=1762464093"},{"product_id":"kokeshi-doll-by-hiraga-teruyuki-tsuchiyu-kei-fukushima-prefecture","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Sayama Yoshiharu (Yajiro-Kei, Miyagi Prefecture)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"311\" data-start=\"188\"\u003eThis kokeshi is hand-turned and hand-painted by Sayama Yoshiharu, a craftsman of the Yajirō lineage from Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"615\" data-start=\"313\"\u003eYajirō-style kokeshi are among the most spirited of the eleven traditional schools, known for their lively facial expressions, narrow waists, and bold geometric banding. This piece features Sayama’s signature red-and-black brushwork, a stylized kimono fold motif that balances restraint with movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSayama Yoshiharu (佐山吉春)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a craftsman from Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and a celebrated figure within the Yajirō lineage of kokeshi artisans. His work is distinguished by its balanced proportions, refined brush control, and subtle individuality, a continuation of the folk artistry passed down through generations in northern Japan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1677\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1249\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1822\" data-start=\"1447\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYajirō-kei (弥治郎系)\u003c\/strong\u003e kokeshi are known for their bright color palettes, narrow waists, and geometric patterns that wrap rhythmically around the body. Originating in the Yajirō district near Shiroishi, these dolls were once made as humble children’s toys and local souvenirs from nearby hot spring towns, each imbued with the maker’s distinctive hand and personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1699\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"2081\"\u003eIn Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1721\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e are often said to embody the spirit of \u003cem data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1772\"\u003eyasashisa: \u003c\/em\u003egentleness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. Over time, they’ve come to represent both nostalgia for rural craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of imperfection. To hold one is to feel the intimacy of handwork, the rhythm of seasonal life, and the quiet persistence of a tradition kept alive through care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680654541051,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Hiraga-Teruyuki.jpg?v=1762464554"},{"product_id":"kokeshi-doll-by-sayama-yoshiharu-yajiro-kei-miyagi-prefecture-copy","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Satō Minosuke (Yajiro-Kei, Miyagi Prefecture)","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"676\" data-start=\"213\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"225\" data-start=\"213\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"210\" data-end=\"529\"\u003eTurned from \u003cem data-start=\"222\" data-end=\"230\"\u003emizuki\u003c\/em\u003e (dogwood) wood and hand-painted in vivid red, yellow, and black, this \u003cem data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"310\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003cstrong data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"331\"\u003eSatō Minosuke\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the exuberant charm of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"384\"\u003eYajirō-kei\u003c\/strong\u003e tradition. The stacked, barrel-like form and rhythmic bands of color are characteristic of the region’s design: playful, yet perfectly balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"819\"\u003eMinosuke’s brushwork is confident and generous: petals unfold like bursts of safflower, while the doll’s calm, open face radiates warmth and humility. The contrast between the bright pigments and the natural wood grain embodies the Japanese ideal of harmony between nature and artifice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1225\" data-start=\"875\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"888\" data-start=\"875\"\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1225\" data-start=\"875\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"872\"\u003eSatō Minosuke (佐藤 巳之助)\u003c\/strong\u003e was a mid-century \u003cem data-start=\"891\" data-end=\"900\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e craftsman from \u003cstrong data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"932\"\u003eYajirō Onsen\u003c\/strong\u003e, Shiroishi City, in southern Miyagi Prefecture. Working within a lineage famed for its bold coloration and expressive faces, he carried forward the spirited personality of the \u003cem data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1121\"\u003eYajirō-kei\u003c\/em\u003e while refining its proportions and precision. His pieces stand out for their generosity of line and their unpretentious joy, objects meant to be touched, not simply admired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1677\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1249\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1447\" data-end=\"1822\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1352\"\u003eYajirō-kei (弥治郎系)\u003c\/strong\u003e lineage emerged in the late Edo period from the mountain hot-spring villages of southern Miyagi and northern Fukushima. Distinguished by their round heads, black hair caps with red floral accents, and vivid geometric motifs, \u003cem data-start=\"1578\" data-end=\"1586\"\u003eYajirō\u003c\/em\u003e dolls embody a rustic exuberance that feels both folk and modern. Each generation of artisans inherits not only a technique but a rhythm, a cadence of turning, painting, and polishing that anchors the work in living tradition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2081\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1699\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2081\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eIn Japan, \u003cem data-end=\"1721\" data-start=\"1712\"\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e are often said to embody the spirit of \u003cem data-end=\"1772\" data-start=\"1761\"\u003eyasashisa: \u003c\/em\u003egentleness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. Over time, they’ve come to represent both nostalgia for rural craftsmanship and the enduring beauty of imperfection. To hold one is to feel the intimacy of handwork, the rhythm of seasonal life, and the quiet persistence of a tradition kept alive through care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680824279291,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Sat_-Minosuke.jpg?v=1762468143"},{"product_id":"kokeshi-doll-by-okamoto-usaburo-sosaku-kei-gunma-prefecture","title":"Kokeshi Doll by Okamoto Usaburō (Sōsaku, Gunma Prefecture)","description":"\u003ch4\u003eThe Item\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis quietly modern \u003cem\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e is distinguished by its minimal facial expression and painterly floral decoration. The smooth taper of the body draws the eye to the dominant motif: hand-painted white peonies, whose soft petals and muted greens dissolve seamlessly into the wood grain. The balance of restraint and ornament gives the piece an unmistakably mid-century warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Designer\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOkamoto Usaburō (岡本卯三郎) was a pioneering craftsman from Shintō Village in Gunma Prefecture. Trained in traditional kokeshi making, yet driven by experimentation, he founded the Usaburo Kokeshi Workshop in 1950, transforming the folk doll into a modern art object. His studio’s hallmark (clean forms, natural finishes, and delicate surface painting) helped define the postwar \u003cem\u003esōsaku kokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e (creative \u003cem\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e) movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the eleven classical regional schools, Sōsaku Kokeshi (創作こけし, “creative \u003cem\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e”) emerged in the mid-20th century as an independent art form. Artists like Usaburō broke from inherited pattern systems to explore new shapes, woods, and decorative techniques, blending folk craft with the vocabulary of modern design. Each figure was conceived not as a toy or souvenir but as an individual work of expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePostwar Japan saw a quiet dialogue between tradition and modernity—between the handmade and the industrial. Creative \u003cem\u003ekokeshi\u003c\/em\u003e embodied that reconciliation: objects rooted in regional craft yet resonant with contemporary aesthetics. In Usaburō’s hands, simplicity became a form of grace; every curve and brushstroke an invitation to notice how beauty survives in small, human gestures.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680938836219,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Okamoto-Usaburo.jpg?v=1762469388"},{"product_id":"kashigata-wagashi-press-plum-blossom","title":"Kashigata Wagashi Press - Plum Blossom","description":"\u003ch4 data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"326\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"324\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"588\"\u003eCarved from \u003cem data-start=\"339\" data-end=\"345\"\u003ekiri\u003c\/em\u003e (paulownia) wood, these \u003cem data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"381\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e molds were once used in the making of \u003cem data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"429\"\u003ewagashi, \u003c\/em\u003ethe intricate, seasonal sweets served with tea in Japan. Each mold captures a moment in relief: a folding fan, a pine and sun motif, and a single plum blossom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"809\"\u003eTheir surfaces bear the quiet traces of use: smooth from handling, chipped from use, and stained by sugar and time. Today, they stand as sculptures of negative space: tools that once shaped beauty, now beautiful in themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"835\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eThe Craft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1147\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"847\"\u003eKashigata\u003c\/em\u003e were traditionally used by \u003cem data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003ewagashi-shi\u003c\/em\u003e (confectionery artisans) to press doughs made of rice flour, bean paste, and sugar into celebratory forms. Each motif carried symbolic meaning: the fan for growth and good fortune, the chrysanthemum for longevity, the plum blossom for endurance and renewal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1312\"\u003eCarved by hand with chisels by skilled artisans, their geometry and flow were designed not only to please the eye but to release sweets cleanly. Precision in service of impermanence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1319\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1340\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1343\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eIn Edo-period Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1373\"\u003ewagashi\u003c\/em\u003e mirrored the rhythm of the seasons and the sensibilities of \u003cem data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1443\"\u003echanoyu\u003c\/em\u003e (the tea ceremony). Artisans collaborated with carvers to design molds that reflected festivals, weather, and poetic imagery. The craft reached its height in Kyoto and Kanazawa, where confectioners were regarded as both technicians and poets of form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1860\"\u003eThe \u003cem data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1713\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e thus embodies a larger aesthetic idea: that beauty can exist in transience, and that the act of making, no less than the object itself, is an art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"1888\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1871\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1889\" data-end=\"2182\"\u003eToday, antique \u003cem data-start=\"1904\" data-end=\"1915\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e are collected not for their utility but for their quiet presence, a balance between void and relief, utility and grace. They recall a time when even a sweet was a form of philosophy: a meditation on nature, craftsmanship, and the fleeting pleasure of the present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2301\"\u003eEach is a relic of Japan's less hurried, pre-industrial past, when art was found not only in what was made, but in the tools that made it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680947814651,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Plum-Blossom-Kashigata_720b972c-d1d0-4cf7-b4b9-7ccbe82729eb.jpg?v=1762472365"},{"product_id":"kashigata-wagashi-press-fan","title":"Kashigata Wagashi Press - Fan","description":"\u003ch4 data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"326\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"324\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"588\"\u003eCarved from \u003cem data-start=\"339\" data-end=\"345\"\u003ekiri\u003c\/em\u003e (paulownia) wood, these \u003cem data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"381\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e molds were once used in the making of \u003cem data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"429\"\u003ewagashi, \u003c\/em\u003ethe intricate, seasonal sweets served with tea in Japan. Each mold captures a moment in relief: a folding fan, a chrysanthemum cloud, a single plum blossom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"809\"\u003eTheir surfaces bear the quiet traces of use: smooth from handling, chipped from use, and stained by sugar and time. Today, they stand as sculptures of negative space: tools that once shaped beauty, now beautiful in themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"835\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eThe Craft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1147\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"847\"\u003eKashigata\u003c\/em\u003e were traditionally used by \u003cem data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003ewagashi-shi\u003c\/em\u003e (confectionery artisans) to press doughs made of rice flour, bean paste, and sugar into celebratory forms. Each motif carried symbolic meaning: the fan for growth and good fortune, the chrysanthemum for longevity, the plum blossom for endurance and renewal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1312\"\u003eCarved by hand with chisels by skilled artisans, their geometry and flow were designed not only to please the eye but to release sweets cleanly. Precision in service of impermanence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1319\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1340\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1343\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eIn Edo-period Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1373\"\u003ewagashi\u003c\/em\u003e mirrored the rhythm of the seasons and the sensibilities of \u003cem data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1443\"\u003echanoyu\u003c\/em\u003e (the tea ceremony). Artisans collaborated with carvers to design molds that reflected festivals, weather, and poetic imagery. The craft reached its height in Kyoto and Kanazawa, where confectioners were regarded as both technicians and poets of form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1860\"\u003eThe \u003cem data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1713\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e thus embodies a larger aesthetic idea: that beauty can exist in transience, and that the act of making, no less than the object itself, is an art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"1888\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1871\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1889\" data-end=\"2182\"\u003eToday, antique \u003cem data-start=\"1904\" data-end=\"1915\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e are collected not for their utility but for their quiet presence, a balance between void and relief, utility and grace. They recall a time when even a sweet was a form of philosophy: a meditation on nature, craftsmanship, and the fleeting pleasure of the present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2301\"\u003eEach is a relic of Japan's less hurried, pre-industrial past, when art was found not only in what was made, but in the tools that made it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680954564859,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Fan-Kashigata.jpg?v=1762471521"},{"product_id":"kashigata-wagashi-press-flower","title":"Kashigata Wagashi Press - Pine and Sun Motif","description":"\u003ch4 data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"326\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"324\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"588\"\u003eCarved from \u003cem data-start=\"339\" data-end=\"345\"\u003ekiri\u003c\/em\u003e (paulownia) wood, these \u003cem data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"381\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e molds were once used in the making of \u003cem data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"429\"\u003ewagashi, \u003c\/em\u003ethe intricate, seasonal sweets served with tea in Japan. Each mold captures a moment in relief: a folding fan, a pine and sun motif, and a single plum blossom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"809\"\u003eTheir surfaces bear the quiet traces of use: smooth from handling, chipped from use, and stained by sugar and time. Today, they stand as sculptures of negative space: tools that once shaped beauty, now beautiful in themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"835\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eThe Craft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1147\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"847\"\u003eKashigata\u003c\/em\u003e were traditionally used by \u003cem data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"888\"\u003ewagashi-shi\u003c\/em\u003e (confectionery artisans) to press doughs made of rice flour, bean paste, and sugar into celebratory forms. Each motif carried symbolic meaning: the fan for growth and good fortune, the chrysanthemum for longevity, the plum blossom for endurance and renewal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1312\"\u003eCarved by hand with chisels by skilled artisans, their geometry and flow were designed not only to please the eye but to release sweets cleanly. Precision in service of impermanence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1319\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1340\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1343\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eIn Edo-period Japan, \u003cem data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1373\"\u003ewagashi\u003c\/em\u003e mirrored the rhythm of the seasons and the sensibilities of \u003cem data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1443\"\u003echanoyu\u003c\/em\u003e (the tea ceremony). Artisans collaborated with carvers to design molds that reflected festivals, weather, and poetic imagery. The craft reached its height in Kyoto and Kanazawa, where confectioners were regarded as both technicians and poets of form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1860\"\u003eThe \u003cem data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1713\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e thus embodies a larger aesthetic idea: that beauty can exist in transience, and that the act of making, no less than the object itself, is an art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"1888\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1871\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1889\" data-end=\"2182\"\u003eToday, antique \u003cem data-start=\"1904\" data-end=\"1915\"\u003ekashigata\u003c\/em\u003e are collected not for their utility but for their quiet presence, a balance between void and relief, utility and grace. They recall a time when even a sweet was a form of philosophy: a meditation on nature, craftsmanship, and the fleeting pleasure of the present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2301\"\u003eEach is a relic of Japan's less hurried, pre-industrial past, when art was found not only in what was made, but in the tools that made it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47680956465403,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/Pine-Sun-Kashigata.jpg?v=1762472088"},{"product_id":"vintage-sake-bottles","title":"Tokkuri Sake Bottles","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"294\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"282\" data-end=\"294\"\u003eThe Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"756\"\u003eThese two hand-thrown \u003cem\u003etokkuri\u003c\/em\u003e (sake bottles) carry the quiet authority of everyday Japanese ceramics: objects made not to impress, but to be used until they soften into the rhythms of a home. Their surfaces are brushed with bold, gestural calligraphy, made up of strokes more evocative of movement than language. Each bottle shows the slight irregularities of studio kiln work: subtle warping, pooling glaze, the faint grain of the potter’s wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"882\"\u003eThey hold 1–1.5 servings of warmed sake, but they also stand beautifully empty, like sculptural punctuation marks in a room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1002\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1002\"\u003eThe Artistans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"907\" data-end=\"1178\"\u003eThe calligraphy suggests a \u003cem\u003eShigaraki\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"973\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eor\u003cstrong data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"973\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMino\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"973\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eregional workshop, probably from the mid-to-late 20th century. The brushwork is expressive and informal, likely at a kiln where potters and calligraphers collaborated, a very common practice in rural ceramic towns from the 1950s–1990s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1180\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003eThese aren’t mass-produced restaurant vessels; they were almost certainly sold directly from a pottery shop or roadside kiln during a regional festival or seasonal market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2329\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2314\" data-end=\"2329\"\u003eThe Tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1656\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTokkuri\u003c\/em\u003e are part of a long lineage of functional folk ceramics that formed the backbone of the \u003cem data-start=\"1456\" data-end=\"1464\"\u003emingei craft movement\u003c\/em\u003e—the philosophy that beauty comes from everyday use, not elite art objects. The brushed characters evoke \u003cem data-start=\"1569\" data-end=\"1580\"\u003eebisugaki\u003c\/em\u003e style calligraphy: rapid, intuitive, celebrating imperfection and openness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1908\"\u003eThe slightly elongated necks and rounded bodies are prototypical shapes meant for warming (\u003cem data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1758\"\u003ekanzake\u003c\/em\u003e) by placing the bottle directly into a pot of hot water. Their shapes come from centuries of iteration—each curve dictated by the hand, not the idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Culture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1935\" data-end=\"2272\"\u003eIn Japan, sake bottles like these exist at the intersection of\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ehospitality, seasonality, and memory. They appear at small gatherings, with the first drink always poured for the guest, sharing the warmth of the home. The calligraphy isn’t merely decoration, but a  gesture of welcome, and a moment of personality from the maker to the eventual drinker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2458\"\u003ePlaced in an American home, they hold the same energy of the \u003cem data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2345\"\u003etokonoma\u003c\/em\u003e: quiet presence, a reminder of an everyday aesthetic that values use, repetition, and the traces left by living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1509\" data-start=\"1327\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Another Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47728015769851,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/files\/SakeBottles.jpg?v=1764107349"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/2064\/1275\/collections\/Niiyama-Yoshinori.jpg?v=1766177756","url":"https:\/\/inanothercountry.co\/collections\/craft-goods.oembed","provider":"Another Country","version":"1.0","type":"link"}