Stories and Objects
Deep from within Japan
New Stories
Sumi Ink: The Living Pigment of Brush Arts
Sumi ink has colored Japanese calligraphy and brush arts for over 1,300 years. Here's what makes this ancient pigment unlike any other art material in Japan - and how to grind your own sumi.
The Art of the Haul: What to Buy in Japan
From Sakai knives to Nishijin-ori silk, anime goods to Kyoto lacquerware, Japan offers some of the world's most compelling shopping. Here's what to buy, where to find it and how duty-free shopping ...
Gyudon: Breaking Down Japan’s Beloved Beef Bowl
How do you make the perfect gyudon for yourself? Spoiler: It's all about ratios.
Donabe: Japanese Clay Pots for One-Pot Cooking
What can a donabe do that your other metal kitchenware can’t? Here's everything you need to know about Japanese clay pots.
Get to Know the Gyuto, Japan's Version of the Chef's Knife
If you're a serious home cook, a gyuto might be the ideal chef's knife for you.
Japanese Woodblock Prints: The Craft Behind Ukiyo-e
Have you ever wondered how ukiyo-e woodblock prints were produced? Find out about the craft and commercial enterprise behind these iconic images.
Rice and Shine: All About Donburi Bowls
What's in a rice bowl, and where did it come from? Here's the down low on donburi bowls.
Sake Cups: Ochoko, Guinomi - and Wine Glasses
The sake vessel you pour into changes everything - aroma, flavor, even temperature. A full rundown of Japanese sake cups and flasks, plus the meaning behind the san-san-kudo ritual.
A Guide to Reusable Chopsticks: Metal, Wood and Bamboo
Reusable chopsticks come in a range of materials running from bamboo to titanium, each offering a different balance of grip, weight and longevity. Here's how to choose the right pair for everyday d...
Japanese Egg Dishes: Tamagoyaki to Onsen Tamago
From silky onsen tamago to the layered softness of tamagoyaki, and from breakfast to dessert, Japanese egg dishes showcase another side of a culinary tradition built on precision and centuries of c...
Traditional Japanese Teapots: Brewing Up Kyusu Design
From Tokoname's iron-rich clay to the ingenious side-handle pour, the kyusu has been shaped by centuries of Japanese tea culture. Learn how different clays and strainer types turn a small teapot in...
Fry High: Yakitori, Karaage and Other Japanese Chicken Dishes
Japan's chicken dishes span everything from smoky yakitori skewers and crispy karaage to the silky comfort of oyakodon. This is the story of how a once-sacred bird became the country's most beloved...
Yanagiba: The Blade Behind Perfect Sashimi Slices
This is the knife that will get you closer to replicating sashimi from your favourite restaurant. In this economy? Say no more.
Building a Japanese Knife Collection as a Home Cook
Wondering what knives you actually need in the kitchen? We tell you exactly how to build your collection.
Gifts with Meaning: The Best Japanese Souvenirs to Bring Home
Shopping for friends when you head to Japan? Ranging from traditional crafts to sweets and stationery, this souvenir guide shows you how to go home a hero.
Japanese Dolls for Hina Matsuri and Other Festivals
From Hina Matsuri dolls and Ichimatsu figures to Boys' Day warrior displays, Japanese dolls carry prayers, court history and craft traditions through the seasons.
Japanese Chopsticks: Woods, Lacquer and Traditions
Carrying centuries of craftsmanship and cultural significance, Japanese chopsticks make an excellent gift. This introduction to materials, finishes and customs will help you to pick the perfect pai...
Miyabi Knives: Where German Engineering Meets Japanese Steel
Table of Contents Introduction A quick overview of the Miyabi knife A Japanese knife by… Zwilling Henckels? Harder, better, sharper, stronger Which Miyabi knife is right for you? Introduction I...
Sushi at Home? How to Build a Fish Knife Collection
Love sushi and sashimi, but hate the price of eating out? Get some fish knives and learn how to make your own.
Global Knives: The Japanese Brand That Conquered Kitchens Around the World
Is a Global knife worth the purchase? Find out here.
Look Sharp: Why Buy a Japanese Knife?
Dipping your toes into the world of Japanese knives? Here’s a good place to start.
Traditional Japanese Sweets: Wagashi and Seasonal Art
A sweet and a season in one: traditional Japanese confections mirror the shifting calendar, capturing the colors and changes of the natural world. Taking you through the history of wagashi, this gu...
Japanese Calligraphy: Shodo and the Four Treasures
Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, turns brush, ink, inkstone and paper into a path of focus and self-cultivation. This guide takes you through the basics: script styles, Zen connections and setting u...
The Cool Breeze in Your Hand: Japanese Fans Uchiwa and Sensu
Sharing a common ancestor, the sensu introduced the elegance of the fold while the uchiwa developed the flat, rigid form. Together, they show how a single object can take on multiple roles in realm...