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LOCAL INSIGHT
Elevate your lifestyle with some quintessentially Japanese crafts and clothing
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eams is where contemporary and traditional cultures co-exist in Japan. This hugely influential fashion retailer plays an essential role in shaping Japanese youth culture, and yet it doesn’t neglect age-old crafts. Its range of impressive folk crafts provides a wonderful overview of Japan-made products and includes
high-quality and beautifully designed teacups, teapots, plates, cutlery and chopsticks. We especially love the exquisite pieces designed by the late Sori Yanagi, who pioneered modern design in Japan after World War II. (His works can also be found as permanent exhibits at art museums around the world, including MoMA.)
Traditional
Beams also pays careful attention to contemporary products made in Japan as well as modern artworks. It’s a space where you can explore both past and present neatly presented through the eyes of the lifestyle professionals. To give you a starting point, we went along to the store and selected our top ten most coveted items.
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Can you feel that craftsmanship? Ohara Bunpei Lacquerware Soup Bowl
Delicate like flowers Keijusha Card Case
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Inspired by Japan and Africa Fennica Hand Towel
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Cutlery for name-dropping Sori Yanagi Coffee Spoon, Teaspoon, Fork
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Fennica Hand Towel ¥1,000 After receiving a collaboration request from Natoriya Dyeing Factory in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, Fennica’s directors Terry Ellis and Keiko Kitamura produced these hand towels together with Natoriya (established in 1902). They drew on Sendai’s traditional technique of stencil dyeing and threw in an African batik- inspired pattern.
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Poter x B Jirushi Yoshida Pouch ¥13,500 This patent leather pouch is part of a new line by B Jirushi Yoshida called ‘Louvre’ – hence the triangle shape. Big enough to hold your necessities, small enough that it won’t get in the way. It comes in black, brown, grey and wine red, and can also be transformed into a square-shaped pouch.
Tamura Kiln Mug
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Keijusha Card Case ¥1,500 This colourful card case is made from washi (traditional Japanese paper), using the traditional technique of making and dyeing paper that the old town of Yatsuo was famed for (in 2005, Yatsuo merged into the city of Toyama). Keijusha is one of the top washi producers in the region so you know you’re getting the best of the best.
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Porter x Beams Hat ¥9,000 Here’s a new way to wear Milton Glaser’s iconic I ♥ NY logo. The quirky hat was born from a collaboration between Beams and Porter. Since launching in 1962, Porter has become known for developing original materials to produce longlasting, quality products.
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Ohara Bunpei Lacquerware Soup Bowl ¥14,000 This expertly crafted soup bowl is by Ohara Bunpei Lacquerware, established over 100 years ago in Yamanaka, Ishikawa prefecture. Combining tradition and function, the bowl features shudamenuri (vermillion lacquering) and itomebiki (line-marking) techniques while blending into modern lacquerware designs.
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Beams Portable Ashtray ¥1,500 No more searching around for a public smoking stand. Simply whip out this portable ashtray and light up wherever you are. Made from stainless steel from Tsubame, a city in Niigata prefecture that’s known for exceptional craftsmanship, it’s durable and also comes in green and blue.
WORDS: HIDETAKA FURUYA. IMAGES: KEISUKE TANIGAWA
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The warmest coffee cup