Here is our Culture Shop items guide to find out original gifts, selected with great care in Japan !

MANEKI NEKO

A Manekineko, also called 'lucky cat' or 'good fortune cat' in Western countries, is a bobtail statue traditionnaly made in ceramic in Japan.
You can meet them very often in restaurants and shops and also in Japanese homes as a welcoming decoration.
Their origin is uncertain but they seem to have appeared during Edo period (1600-1868).
All our Maneki Neko are made and hand painted with great care in Japan, near Nagoya city.

Discover all our Maneki Neko and more information by clicking here.

KOKESHI

Kokeshi are wooden dolls from northern Japan in region encompassing the present Sendai and Miyagi prefectures.
These small statues appeared during Edo period (1600-1868).
They were originally sold as souvenirs to visitors of onsens (hot springs) in the area. Since several years they are very popular overseas and you can find many fans around the globe. Today they are used to decorate a room both in Japan and abroad.
All our Kokeshi are manufactured in Japan.

Discover all our Kokeshi and more information by clicking here.

DARUMA DOLLS

Daruma dolls are lucky charms in papier-mache which are usually sold in Buddhist temples.
Coming from Takasaki, a city located in Gunma prefecture, they were created by a monk for his followers during the 18th century.
These statues represent the Indian monk of the same name (called Bodhidharma in the West) who was the creator of Zen Buddhism and who developed it in China during the 5th century. (More information about the handicraft and the symbolism of daruma at the bottom of this page)
All our models are traditionally made in Takasaki, Japan.

Discover all our Daruma and more information about the handicraft and the symbolism of daruma here.

BENTO BOXES

Bento refers to meals, prepared in advance at home or bought, and presented in boxes.
We offer bento boxes with traditional or modern patterns.
All our bento boxes are made in Japan.

Discover all our Noren and more information by clicking here.

JAPANESE CHOPSTICKS

Chopsticks are called 'Hashi' or 'Otemoto' in Japan.
They are traditionally in lacquered wood but plastic ones are also available.
It is very common for a couple to have the same model of chopsticks with the woman's one being a bit shorter.
These quality made products respect traditional shapes and are very resistant and perfectly hygienic.
All these chopsticks are made in Japan.

Discover all our Japanese Chopsticks and more information by clicking here.

JAPANESE TEA POTS

All the Japanese teapots we propose respect the traditional sizes and shapes.
The difference in price is explained by the care taken during making and decoration of these objects. The artisan reputation also plays a role.
All the tea pots have a grid to prevent the leave to go into the cups and can be used for standard black tea. Washing in dishwasher is not recommended.
All these teapots are made by craftsmen in Tokoname, Japan.

Discover all our Japanese Tea Pots and more information by clicking here.

NOREN

Noren were traditionally used at the entrance of Japanese shops, informing the type of establishment, its logo and its name.
Today they are still used to conceal an entrance (for example hiding people inside a pub), to create a partition in a room, disposed as curtains, installed in front of shelves or simply used as original Japanese wall decor.
All of our Noren are exclusively made in Japan.

Discover all our Noren and more information by clicking here.