From the moment the plane touched down, I always knew my adventure through Kumamoto, my beloved hometown in Japan, was going to be something special. There’s something deeply comforting about returning to your roots, especially...
In the heart of Japan’s ceramics country, there exists a small, almost magical world where tradition and artistry blend seamlessly with nature. In Amakusa islands, Naoki Kanazawa create his one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces, capturing the essence...
Junpei Kanazashi, born in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1959, has made his home in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, for over four decades. His wife, Hiroko, is a master of botanical dyeing and weaving, crafting every ingredient from...
Before delving into the artistry of Hiroki Kanazawa, it's essential to understand the legacy of the Kanazawa family. Nestled in Amakusa city, Kumamoto prefecture, the Kanazawa family is renowned as a legendary ceramic dynasty with...
The incense master Toshichiro Tsutsumi introduced me to Yuta Kiyonaga, a talented young craftsman who runs a bamboo processing workshop in the local neighborhood. Yuta comes from a long line of artisans, and he...
It was the last day of my buying trip in spring 2022. I visited the incense craftsman Toshichiro Tsusumi in Yame village, Fukuoka prefecture. During my buying trip to Kumamoto. I had a surprise...
