If you usually prepare vegetables with a small kitchen knife, a collection of long, wide and differently shaped Japanese blades may seem unnecessary. How many knives does one kitchen really need? The more interesting question is what each knife helps a cook do. Think...
What does it take to turn a piece of steel into a blade that cuts with precision? The answer is not simply sharpness. It involves understanding the material, controlling heat, shaping the steel, creating the edge and knowing how each stage affects the finished blade....
Professional scissors cut through precisely controlled contact between the two blades When we watch a skilled hairdresser at work, the scissors can appear to move almost effortlessly. A section of hair is lifted, the blades open and close, and a new line or shape...
Today, Japanese hairdressing scissors are highly specialised professional tools. Their blade shape, balance, handle design and tension can all affect how comfortably and accurately a hairdresser works. However, the scissors used in modern Japanese salons did not...
When we think about women’s haircuts, length is often the first thing that comes to mind.. Should it be cut to the shoulders? Above the chin? Or should the length be kept almost unchanged? This continued focus on hairstyle design also provides the background for our...
When you think about getting a haircut, the first thing that may come to mind is simply making your hair shorter. But a well-designed haircut can do much more than remove length. It can change the shape of the head, create movement, make thick hair appear lighter,...
Hairstyles are more than a matter of fashion. They often reflect the values, lifestyles and social changes of their time. In Japan, hairstyles have changed dramatically over the centuries. From the exceptionally long black hair admired at the imperial court during the...
Soft pink cherry blossoms in spring, clear blue skies and festival lights in summer, deep red and golden leaves in autumn, and quiet snow-covered landscapes in winter. When you look closely at Tsugaru Vidro glassware, you can find many of these colours and scenes...
More Than Just a Seasoning Soy sauce is one of Japan's most famous culinary exports. Today, it can be found in kitchens and restaurants around the world, adding depth and umami to countless dishes. For many people, soy sauce is simply a condiment served alongside...
More Than a Traditional Craft When people think of traditional Japanese crafts, they often imagine delicate ceramics, lacquerware, or handmade paper. Hidden among these famous crafts is Kabazaiku, a unique form of woodcraft made from the bark of wild mountain cherry...