July 23, 2013

Sake Masu cups added

Hello and Welcome to www.nipponcraft.com,

We added unique cups called Masu in the shopping page
A "Masu" is a square wooden cup for drinking sake at happy celebrations such as a wedding and a company establishment. A "Masu" was originally a box for measuring rice or bean volume, but people started to use it as a drinking cup from the late 1950's.
These cups are made of cypress grown in Kiso area (in Nagano prefecture).  Kiso cypress has a natural sterilizing power and the wood smells very nice.
These cups hold 180 mL for large, 144 ml for middle, and 90 mL for small. We ironed a branding picture on one surface of each Masu.

We are able to accept your order from a set of 10 for each size, and we will send you a list of pictures that we can iron on Masu.  Masu are generally custom order products, because we need to craft them from fresh woods to deliver refreshing cypress smell.

Experience sake with nice wood smell in relaxing mood!





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July 22, 2013

New Sukiya-bukuro pouch added

Hello and Welcome to www.nipponcraft.com,

We have added new "Sukiya-bukuro" pouches. A "Sukiya-bukuro" is originally a small one button pouch for carrying Japanese tea ceremony items such as a handkerchief, sensu folding fan and paper napkins. However, Sukiya-bukuro can be a fashionable bag for caring small items.

These Sukiya-bukuro pouches in the following photos are handcrafted from 100% silk textile called Nishijin-ori. Nishijin-ori is a silk textile brand that are produced in Kyoto city and the textiles are elegant and also durable. "Nishijin" is a district name of  the north-west part of Kyoto city, and "ori" means weaving. The Nishijin-ori textiles have been utilized mainly for Kimono belts (obi), and in addition to that they are utilized for men's neckties, table liners, and bags.

Please take a look at our Sukiya-bukuro category. The designs printed on the textile are images of treasures that came along from Persia across the Silk Road once upon a time. These pouches are elegant as well as usable.









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July 12, 2013

Furoshiki and tenugui will decorate western homes

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We would like to show you how furoshiki and tenugui will add warm, friendly feeling to your living. Furoshiki are originally wrapping cloths for carrying items, but still applicable for home decor. Wide variety of traditional designs are hand-printed on furoshiki.
Tenugui are originally for hand towels and wiping sweat when you play Kendo and Judo martial arts. However, wide range of designs hand-printed on tenugui let people collect and utilize for home decor and fashion. What is unique to Japanese traditional products is that utilitarian purpose and art purpose are joined together.  However, in spite of art, they are still affordable for daily living.
Please get inspirations by referring the demonstration photos.  I shot these photos at an apartment in New York.  



Large cotton furoshiki are suitable and look nice for a coffee table in the living room. I used three different designs for demonstrations - purple fish designred & pink patch work design and mustard yellow design.
 






 






   
 

A furoshiki is also suitable for a kitchen table decoration. Cotton furoshiki is durable and machine washable.  Enjoy Japanese Oriental taste in your kitchen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

The falcon furoshiki decorates the wall.













Hand-printed tenugui are another tools for decorating your interior - tenugui will decorate a coffee table, dinning table and the wall. Please see the photos below. I also hung noren door curtains for the demonstration.



There are no right and wrong sides to so-called "Chusen-dyed" traditional tenugui. So, two of the reversible sakura shower tenugui will make one tree image when you layout them side by side. The tenugui decoration rods are available at our store.



















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July 2, 2013

New sensu folding fans added

Hello and Welcome to www.nipponcraft.com,

We have added new lineup of sensu folding fans at our sensu category.
These sensu fans are handmade, especially the bamboo frames of the fans are set up by handmade.
Beautiful and traditional designs are printed on the surface - the designs come from ancient image of birds, trees, flowers, mountains and legendary dragon. Sensu is a mixture of beauty and utilitarianism!
These sensu fans are suitable for room deco and gifts.

New Sensu fans
 
Six flying cranes are printed on gold base color - crane is a happy symbol
Approximately 11 1/2 inches of radius


A big pine tree is printed on gold base color - very Japanese traditional design
Approximately 11 1/2 inches of radius


Strength of  bamboo on gold base color
Approximately 11 1/2 inches of radius



Sumo wrestlers on light blue base color
Approximately 9 inches of radius


A falcon sitting on a tree, on gay base color
Approximately 9 inches of radius


A dragon on gray base color
Approximately 9 inches of radius


Silk fan, bamboo leaves are printed
Approximately 9 inches of radius


Mount Fuji on blue base color
Approximately 9 inches of radius

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