The Butterfly Effect: Sori Yanagi and the Art of Appreciation The saying goes that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but what about celebrating them? In November last year, a diverse group of people working in the UK’s design industry gathered at the Vitra showroom in London to launch the Sori Yanagi Appreciation Society (SYAS). Industrial…

Celebrating Sakura The Japanese take great pleasure in celebrating the seasons and SAKURA (cherry blossoms) are emblematic of spring. From the time buds (tsubomi 蕾) first appear to the official pronouncement of blooming (kaika 開花) it is often less than a week. And from there to full-blown flowering (mankai 満開) can be just days. The…

In this book, Michelin-starred chef Hisao Nakahigashi reflects on his childhood memories, his philosophy of cooking, and shares his recipes. ‘Times change, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But no matter how the world evolves, humans can never truly live apart from nature. This is a truth that all of us who work…

An exhibition celebrates the diverse techniques that elevate paper to an art form, from origami to sculpture and ‘kirie’. In an era of increasing digitalisation, paper remains an essential part of daily life. The exhibition Micro and Macro Universe of Paper Art at the Ichihara Lakeside Museum in Chiba Prefecture pays tribute to this timeless…

I am writing this to you just after New Year’s Day from my home in Kyoto. Exactly one year ago today, I felt tremors in my living room, so I turned on Japanese television to the shocking news that a massive earthquake had hit the Noto Peninsula, less than 200 miles away. The damage was…

Dear friends, colleagues and those who have expressed an interest in the FOOD & CULTURE of Japan: For New Yorkers watching the ball drop at Times Square, ether in person or on TV has been a traditional way to welcome the New Year since 1907. For Brits its likely to be listening to Big Ben’s…

Dear friends, colleagues and those who have expressed an interest in the FOOD & CULTURE of Japan: Throughout the world, people set aside certain days to celebrate and offer thanks for a good harvest and/or hunt. The specific rituals practiced, and feasts served on these days of thanksgiving vary from culture to culture. Native American…

Dear friends, colleagues and those who have expressed an interest in the FOOD & CULTURE of Japan:   With consistently cooler days and a few downright chilly nights, it finally feels as though autumn has arrived in Tokyo. After another long, brutal summer during which beat-the-heat survival menus featured icy cold tofu and well-chilled egg…

When I’m asked about my interest in craftsmanship, especially that of Japan, I explain that at its core is the fact that circular principles are inherently baked in. Modern designers rightly focus on using sustainable materials, reducing waste, ensuring repairability, and promoting recycling. Japanese crafts go beyond this, intertwining material sustainability with social systems and…

June Online meeting with our Craft Leaders Group (winners from our contests so far) to update new programs and discuss the February 2025 Exhibition in Ginza. Sponsored a public event in Tokyo on swordsmanship featuring a 500-year-old martial arts group. We secured a permanent exhibition space for our Craft Leaders at The Terminal Kyoto, a…