My Japanese World · Journal

The Japanese
Craftsman Journal

Guides to choosing, using and caring for Japanese tableware, teaware and home fragrance, written from Tokyo.

Tea & Matcha

Bowls, whisks, teapots and the matcha itself.

Shop Teaware · 155 pieces
Matcha Whisk Guide: What You Need to Know Before Buying 5 min read Why a Japanese Clay Teapot Can Transform Your Tea Experience? 4 min read How to Clean a Matcha Bowl (Chawan) the Right Way 5 min read Japanese Teapot: A Complete Guide to Craftsmanship, Types, and Choosing the Right Kyūsu 6 min read

Sake & Drinkware

Sake sets, cups and glassware, and how to serve sake.

Shop Sake Sets · 34 pieces
How Big Is a Sake Cup? A Guide to Sizes, Types, and Traditions 3 min read How to Drink Sake? 4 min read What Makes an Authentic Japanese Sake Set? 2 min read Japanese Beer Mug: Tradition Meets Craft in Every Pour 3 min read

Home Fragrance

Reed diffusers, essential oils and candles, and how to use them.

Shop Home Fragrance · 28 pieces
Reed Diffuser vs Candle vs Incense: Which Suits Your Home? 22 min read How Long Does a Reed Diffuser Last? And How to Make Yours Last Longer 11 min read Reed Diffuser Refill Guide: How to Make Long-Lasting Scents at Home 5 min read Do Essential Oils Expire? A Complete Guide to Shelf Life, Storage, and Safe Disposal 5 min read

Tableware & Care

Mino, Hasami and Arita ware, and how to keep them.

Shop Japanese Tableware · 143 pieces
How to Care for Ceramic Dishes: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Handmade Tableware Beautiful 6 min read What Is Mino Ware? 4 min read Does Japanese Pottery Contain Lead? 3 min read Can You Microwave Japanese Pottery? A Practical Guide 5 min read

Food & Culture

The dishes and habits our pieces are made for.

Shop Ramen Bowls · 36 pieces
How Many Calories in a Bowl of Ramen? A Nutritional Breakdown 3 min read Does Soy Sauce Go Bad? What You Should Know About This Umami Essential 5 min read What Is Umeboshi? Your Essential Guide to Japan’s Sour Pickled Plum 9 min read How Many Calories Are in a Bowl of Rice? A Journey Through Nutrition, Culture, and Craft 4 min read

Latest from the journal

Who writes the journal

Written from Tokyo, by the people who choose every piece

We work directly with workshops and makers from Mino to Odai. The journal is where we explain what we have learned from them.

Why we started My Japanese World

Words you will meet

茶碗
Chawan— the bowl matcha is whisked and drunk from.
茶筅
Chasen— bamboo whisk, cut from a single piece.
美濃焼
Mino-yaki— ceramics from the Mino region of Gifu.
黒文字
Kuromoji— a native shrub with a soft, spicy-sweet scent.
檜
Hinoki— Japanese cypress, used for baths and temples.

Letters from Tokyo

New guides and first looks at new makers, by email.