SPOTLIGHT : Japanese Housewares

I'm full Filipino, but my fiancé was born in Kawasaki, Japan and later moved to California with his parents at the age of three. One of the many things I love about him is his love for the Japanese culture; from food, to history, or to him turning movie nights into subtitle readings of a Mifune film.

What I love most though, is eating at his mom (my future mother-in-law’s) home whenever we’re back in Los Angeles. She always prepares a feast of sushi or introduces me to amazing authentic Japanese food that I wouldn’t have tried otherwise. If there’s anything I do love about meals at her home is her attention to presentation. She always has the most beautiful plates and bowls that she’s curated and collected overtime. While I do love me a plain white Corelle plate, there’s something so special about every little vessel she puts on the table.

For the past few years I have started to collect my own Japanese plates and bowls, and what’s nice is that as long as I keep within a certain color family I can mix and match things graphically, but overall, they look cohesive. There’s also a nice minimalism to Japanese tableware that is right up my alley aesthetic wise. I also get extra points from the Fiancé if I can fill a bowl with rice and curry!

I’ve compiled some of my favorite Japanese housewares shops that make me swoon and want to spend my whole paycheck all at the same time! I’m also happy to report that I’ll be on the hunt for some new additions to my collection while I’m in Japan this fall!!

UKIYO HOME

Ukiyo Home is a curated online boutique that pays tribute to well-designed products from Japan + celebrates of the craftsmen and women behind them. LEFT: Futagami brass bottle opener  RIGHT: Kami Wooden Mug

 

NALATA / NALATA

Nalata/Nalata carries a broad spectrum of housewares ranging from pendant lamps to handmade wooden tea scoops. They are a retail experience founded on promoting awareness of the people and stories behind their curated lifestyle products. LEFT: Chrysanthemum Plate Set RIGHT: Flower motif cocktail stirrers

 

TORTOISE GENERAL STORE

The Tortoise General Store located in Venice, California is the brainchild of Keiko and Taku Shinimoto. Their name is derived from the idea of slowing down and appreciating life and 'things' made not only by hand but by spirit. They exhibit work by Japanese artists or artists that use traditional Japanese techniques. LEFT: Coffee drip with fabric filters RIGHT: Traditional Donabe Steam Pot