Etsy is an international community of designers, creators, artists and entrepreneurs that grows every day. In this series, we’re spinning the globe to take a closer look at country-specific maker scenes around the world. Check out our other posts on the Etsy community in Israel and Latvia.
Japan’s handmade history goes back tens of thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that Etsy’s community there is thriving. Sellers from Tokyo to Sapporo feature an overwhelming array of items that speak to the country’s creativity and heritage — colorful furoshiki, handmade wooden stamps and vintage prints are just a few of their offerings.
Read on for a glimpse at this incredibly varied community.
The Harmony of Tradition and Innovation
The maker culture of Japan has been in existence as long as the country’s history has been documented— the weaving of elegant fabrics began in the 15th century, papermaking in the 6th century and metalwork, particularly samurai swords made by Japanese artisans, dates back to the 1st century BC. The influence can be seen in the Etsy community of today.
“Japanese culture is an effective harmonizing of traditional arts and skills with modern techniques,” says Fumihito Umei of Hitonari Works, who was inspired by the time-honored tenets of Japanese woodworking to create contemporary pieces including spice containers and salt cellars. Yuko Machida’s wire-wrapped, hand-engraved jewelry is also proof of this. “I’m inspired by Japanese traditional art and have been learning traditional Japanese engraving methods for metal,” says Machida, who has a choking — the ancient Japanese practice of engraving — mentor. (Even her mentor has an Etsy shop!)
The country’s long-standing customs influence vintage Etsy sellers as well. “With such a strong cultural identity that reaches back to a more traditional era before the influences of the West, ‘Japaneseness’ is often expressed through vintage clothing, arts, and crafts,” says Stephanie Hannon, a UK transplant in Tokyo who sells antique Japanese textiles, including rare boro items (utilitarian clothing handmade by peasants of the Edo to Showa era) in her shop FurugiStar. Sofia Molnar, a Canadian now living in Fukuoka, sells vintage Japanese goods with the idea that other makers will give them a modern twist. “When I have explained to Japanese people here that people turn old typewriter keys into jewelry in the US, or frame the katagami stencils as art for their walls in Brazil, or use the door pulls on a hand built bookshelf in France…people are surprised and delighted that these items are being used in an entirely new way.”
Most of Molnar’s sales come from buyers outside of Japan, but the country’s contemporary maker community fosters its own creative melding of new and old. “One of the things I have been noticing more and more lately is that modern designers are collaborating with Japanese traditional artists and makers, or vice versa,” says Riyo Kihara, who sells handmade rubber stamps in her shop, Talk to the Sun. It seems natural that generations would come together over craft; in Japan, creativity is endemic to the country’s daily life. “In general, we like to do something with our hands,” Kihara continues. “One time, someone from overseas asked me, ‘Can everyone in Japan fold origami paper cranes?’ And my answer was, ‘Yes, I think so.’”
Kyoko Bowskill, who collaborates with designers to hand-print furoshiki textiles for her shop, The Link Collective, agrees: “Creativity’s not something special, or reserved for ‘creatives,’” she says. “For example, mums make creative bento lunch boxes for their kids, and everyone loves reading and drawing manga, so there’s a strong visual culture everywhere. Even boring things like road signs and municipal pamphlets are made fun with manga.” A closer look at Japan’s Etsy community makes the artisanal through-line from Japan’s earliest days to the country’s current state of constant creativity obvious. As Umei succinctly put it, “It’s the harmony of tradition and innovation.”
Shop the Scene
A selection of items made and curated by Etsy shop owners in Japan.
What countries would you like to see featured in future blog posts? Let us know in the comments!
86 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Beautiful finds!
M Peacock from LaPiccolinaFarm said 5 years ago
Such a wonderful blend of modern, vintage, and culture!
Kalisa L. from MuchandQuick said 5 years ago
Fascinating to see how sellers in other countries highlight their crafts and vintage pieces. I'd love to see a series blog articles that show off Etsy sellers from countries all over the world. It would be fun to see what particular vintage items they have found to be big hits and the different types of crafts that are popular.
Robbin Z from LeaSense said 5 years ago
Fantastic crafts of arts! Like them!
Natasha Lee from FuntasyLand said 5 years ago
love Japanese crafts!
Patrick from EdelweissPost said 5 years ago
I will master something, then the creativity will come. -Japanese Proverb
Margaret from magszilla said 5 years ago
I LOVE Japan...and their rich history and culture that shapes their products. They are relentless at working towards the best quality and craftsmanship and they never say they can't do it until they've tried. Very inspirational, thanks for featuring this story!
Ann Cosgrove from acbcDesign said 5 years ago
These are such gorgeous creations - very inspiring!
Quality Handmade Items from WhisperingOak said 5 years ago
Great collection of items. i like the earrings.
Caroline Barbosa from OldSoulVintageLtd said 5 years ago
Make the cuteness stop! Great finds. :)
Theme Fragrance from themefragrance said 5 years ago
I just love anything from Japan! Beautiful simple but yet complex designs and there is always a certain peacefulness even with the kawaii designs.
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 5 years ago
Neat & Stylish!
StillVintage from StillVintage said 5 years ago
Beautiful items on this post. The puzzle boxes are beautiful
Lowe Jewelry from lowelowejewelry said 5 years ago
Cool!
Natalie from HansHolzkopf said 5 years ago
Very beautiful finds!! ********************************************* What countries would you like to see featured in future blog posts? - I would like to see the shops from Russia, Brazil, Argentina..
Linda from lovelygifts said 5 years ago
Great items!
Erika Kelly from PortlandApronCompany said 5 years ago
I've wanted to visit Japan for so long! Its next on my list!
Laura Stark from laurastark said 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing such a beautifully curated collection!
Sonia Girotto from lofficina said 5 years ago
Love this post! Love Japan!
Megan Braswell from inspiringanchors said 5 years ago
Nice post! I want the puzzle box. :)
Ema Ponpisa from EmaleyAccessories said 5 years ago
Love this post! Japan is my favourite country I have visited! Everything is so inspiring!
AGORAA from AGORAA said 5 years ago
Gorgeous finds! Nice post! thanks!
Suwachi from WoodenPencilCo said 5 years ago
Yey Japan represent!!
stephanie callsen from bannerandsail said 5 years ago
Really nice picks! Very inspiring post!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Beautiful collection! Thank you for sharing!
Japan Momiji designs from japanmomijidesigns said 5 years ago
so lovely to see so many intresting shops from japan
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 5 years ago
Wonderful finds!1
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 5 years ago
Lovely choices.
Kyoko Bowskill from TheLinkCollective said 5 years ago
Thanks so much Lisa for featuring our Furoshiki. I'm really happy to share Japanese craftsmanship to the people all over the world. So inspiring blog series!
R. Anne from LnRworks said 5 years ago
Wow, such pretty items! Amazing!
Pollen for Bones from PollenforBones said 5 years ago
How pretty! I especially loved the Petit Cafe Set, so quaint, so neat. ♥
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Gorgeous selections!
Stephanie from withintheframe said 5 years ago
While living in Japan I fell in love with the Japanese design aesthetic. The attention to detail and high level of artistry is abundantly evident even in the simplest of objects. Thank you for the wonderful feature!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago
Wonderful and glorious!
ncap said 5 years ago
Wonderful items, so beautiful. I love going to Japan, so rich in culture and so beautiful. thanks for sharing.
Deb Vasbinder from BabyCuteBaby said 5 years ago
Lovely Finds!
Nicole from Crackerjackarma said 5 years ago
The theme in harmony, tradition and innovation really come through in these beautiful finds !
Josien from JeTrouve said 5 years ago
lovely feature! next one: Belgium? :))))))
Kasia Bourke from NoandEl said 5 years ago
A lovely collection. ...how cute are the little pups! !
Aga from AgasJourney said 5 years ago
Beautiful and delicate Japan. Lovely selection!
Stacey McCaffrey from vintagejane said 5 years ago
So much detail!
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose said 5 years ago
Great article!
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 5 years ago
Love the optical illusion scarves, both the one featured & the one at the top of the page! I'd love to see an African country featured...
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 5 years ago
Awesome finds!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 5 years ago
Great article!!
Caitlin Benson from cinderandhoney said 5 years ago
Amazing, beautiful work!
Avianti Jewelry from AviantiJewelry said 5 years ago
Wow! I love it!
Arthur and Michelle Gonzalez from AMGCraftsandPhotos said 5 years ago
Beautiful
MissySue Hanson from bellesandghosts said 5 years ago
Amazing blog!! I would love to see more of these on any country! Ireland would be at the top of my list!
VintageFromJapan from VintageFromJapan said 5 years ago
Thank you for blogging about Japan!
oppning from oppning said 5 years ago
Love Japan! What a cute selection of items :-) such an inspiring blog.
Kameliya Kiricheva, Cveti Velinova from BOOHOOstudio said 5 years ago
What a cool selection! Thanks for this interesting article!
Caitlin Clarkson from CCillustration said 5 years ago
Absolutely amazing work!
hubinshow from hubinshow said 5 years ago
Very inspiring post!
Eden Some from Manjuzaka said 5 years ago
WOW! Great!
April McGee-Riess from RawLuxGems said 5 years ago
I've always loved Japanese and Asian made items. You can see the craftsmanship, creativity and care in every piece.
mirta from ModernBotanicsShop said 5 years ago
I love Japanese art and craft culture, love the way these very talented sellers are able to combine tradition and minimalism. TheLinkCollective is one amazing shop!
Rita Teles from Tocta said 5 years ago
Oh Japan! Everything is so graceful, they turn ordinary pieces from everyday life and turn them in pure art!
pinksnakejewelry from pinksnakejewelry said 5 years ago
Wonderful Post! Great Collection from Japan!
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 5 years ago
Wonderful selections!
Marlous P from Lousje said 5 years ago
Great picks! Love the wood spice container :)
R J from TheMagicOfBeads said 5 years ago
Beautiful collection! Love Japan!
thedelhistore from theDelhiStore said 5 years ago
Amazing finds!
Melissa M. from CuffLoves said 5 years ago
Beautiful !
Mrs Berry from ThreeChicksVIntage said 5 years ago
I spent two years in Japan, during the 1980s. Some things about that beautiful country are truly timeless, as demonstrated by the artisans here. Thanks for jogging those memories. Now I've an eye on some lovely Japanese fabrics for a special project for my son, who was just a baby when we lived there.
Mrs Berry from ThreeChicksVIntage said 5 years ago
Suggestion for a future feature: Hawaii. While to Americans it isn't another country, it feels a world away. The culture is rich, and like so many places invaded by "progress", that culture and beauty is endangered and so much more valuable because of it.
Zeynep from ZeyJewel said 5 years ago
Great! Thank you for sharing!
Hilary Hahn from PinkPianos said 5 years ago
Loving all the woodworks!
Chi takeyama from kojica said 5 years ago
Great! Hope many people like my country more :)
Nancy LaBerge Muren from LaBerge said 5 years ago
beautiful choices for this article with such great photography to show them off thanks sor letting us see these.
Kerime Sevilen Mustafaoglu from ASHYL said 5 years ago
Great finds! Thank you :)
Vector Vintage from vectorvintageshop said 5 years ago
Japan is hard to be in the details and kawai factor! Lovely finds, thanks for the article and highlighting the shops!
Jade Tungjairob said 5 years ago
I would love to see Thailand, the country of my ancestors, please!
Becca Allen said 5 years ago
Gorgeous collection, thank you. I'd love to see collections from The Netherlands, Australia and Spain - I've discovered some lovely sellers from those countries.
Adela Sivewright from sagebespoke said 5 years ago
Thank you for this article. Country features are my favourite. Working from home all day means a glimpse into another part of the world is very appealing and inspiring.
Susan Brent said 5 years ago
I adore Japanese indigo cloths and vintage kimono prints...so classic and inspiring.
nico from JapaneseRubberStamps said 5 years ago
Wonderful collection!!!
Asma from AsmaOriginal said 5 years ago
Amazing finds!
PapierRivier from PapierRivier said 5 years ago
Thank you for this article. In our work we are very inspired by Japan, especially By prints and bookbinding, so we love this.
Kate Plager from BombyxBotanica said 5 years ago
Lovely! Japan really is an important inspiration to makers all over the world! There is a huge range of vintage Japanese items on etsy and people making clothing and other items using vintage Japanese fabrics on etsy. Just search for kimono purse or kimono remake.
metroretrovintage from MetroRetroVintage said 5 years ago
As a long time admirer of vintage Japanese kimonos, textiles, and design, I've enjoyed this topic and selected shops greatly. Thank you.
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 5 years ago
I really like the tea set.
Anthi from AnthisBatikArt said 5 years ago
Wonderful finds!
kingwatch buyers said 5 years ago
Fascinating work of Art.
Koren Kwan from GarasuWonderland said 5 years ago
beautiful works! i love japanese arts a lot too~
Elvira from chezvies said 2 years ago
Beautiful and inspiring story