Stories and Objects
Deep from within Japan
New Stories
Gold Screens and Soba-Priced Prints: The Edo Period in Japanese Art
Ukiyo-e prints, Rinpa screens, Kano gold-leaf murals: The art of the Edo period spanned 250 years and two very different worlds. Here's how it all unfolded.
Not Your Typical Watercolor Set: A Guide to Nihonga and Mineral Pigments
Though Nihonga is sometimes described as Japanese watercolors, it's actually a style of painting that uses mineral pigments bound with animal glue. Learn the art, the technique and how to start.
Japanese Snacks: Kit Kats, Crackers and Regional Treats
Kit Kats in over 300 flavors, regional confections and rice crackers with a 1,000-year history - explore Japanese snacks with this guide.
Cord, Clay and the Buddha: Ancient Japanese Art from the Jomon to Nara Periods
13,000 years of art - and all before the Heian era even got started.
Donburi: A Guide to Japanese Rice Bowl Dishes
Born from Edo's need for speed, Japan's donburi - a rice bowl topped with anything from eel to pork cutlet to fresh tuna - is a complete meal in one bowl. Here's how it works.
Plate Expectations: Shapes, Styles and Your Own Japanese Ceramic Collection
Japanese ceramic plates go far beyond the round. We take a look at the different shapes and styles such as Oribe and Bizen - and offer tips on putting together a collection for home dining.
Sumi-e: Japanese Ink Painting and the Art of Empty Space
Japanese ink painting uses only black ink and paper to render mountains, monks and the spaces between thoughts. Here’s a guide to its Zen origins, techniques and masters.
The Japanese New Year: Decorations, Food and Traditions
Oshogatsu, Japan's New Year, is built around one idea: welcoming a god. What the decorations, food and rituals are actually for.
Crafted Kitchenware and Furniture for the Japanese Home
The Japanese homeware that interior designers and Japandi devotees reach for: artisan clay pots, zabuton cushions and other traditional decor items.
A Tale of Reinvention: From Ukiyo-e to Shin-Hanga and Sosaku Hanga
Japanese woodblock prints are more than just ukiyo-e. Get to know the underrated 20th century prints and how you can start collecting them.
A Guide to Japanese Knife Shapes and Types
The right blade shape makes the work easier, cleaner, and more precise. Find out which Japanese knife is right for your kitchen style with this guide.
A Practical Look at Noritake China: History, Identification, and Valuation
Looking to collect Noritake china, or hoping to sell some family heirlooms? Know what you have before you act.
12 Japanese Artists Who Shaped Visual Culture Through the Ages
From Zen monks to psychedelic printmakers, meet twelve of Japan's most influential artists through the ages.
Omelet, Onsen, On Rice: Tamagoyaki and Other Japanese Egg Favorites
Japan's egg dishes may seem simple but the evidence - and sushi chef training - suggests otherwise.
Famous Japanese Artworks: Masterpieces to Know
Where does one begin with the vast corpus of Japanese art? Dip your toes into this world with some of these iconic masterpieces.
Ukiyo-e: Art of the Floating World Explained
What was behind the floating world? Dive into the origins of ukiyo-e and what they represented.
Japanese Painting: Schools, Styles, and Masters
From gilded folding screens in castle halls to oil paintings in modern galleries, Japanese painting is a millenia-long journey of constant reinvention.
Japanese Knife Makers: From Artisan Forges to the Factory
Behind every great Japanese knife is a city, a steel grade and a craftsman who spent years learning to read fire.
Japanese Petty Knives: Small Blades for Precision Work
The Japanese petty knife: small blade, serious precision. Pair it with your gyuto or santoku for an answer to just about every cutting task in the kitchen.
Deba Knives: Cutting-Edge Japanese Fish Blades
Named for a buck-toothed blacksmith, built for bone. Japan's deba knife is the essential fish butchery tool for home cooks and professional chefs alike.
Saibashi: The Long Game of Japanese Cooking Chopsticks
Two sticks. Thirty centimeters. A thousand years of getting it right.
From Rice to Ramen: A Guide to Japanese Bowls
Japanese bowls aren't one-size-fits-all: the chawan, shiru wan and hachi each play a different role at the table. Here's how to tell them apart.
Sole Food: Sushi Geta and Other Japanese Serving Plates
Whether it arrives on a hinoki geta or an irregular ceramic dish, the sushi experience begins before the first bite. We take you through the hows and whys of sushi plating.
Japanese Pottery: A Style Guide
An introduction to the rich, beautiful world of Japanese ceramics — more than enough to have you sounding well-informed at the next dinner party.