Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

IN PURSUIT OF
BEAUTY
Wabist began selling elegant, functional products that epitomize Japanese
craftmanship on its online platform. But in 2014, it opened its first brick-and-mortar
location in Ebisu. Here are three unique pieces that caught our eyes on a recent visit
FRAMESCAPE DOUBLE SET
Japanese people have always believed that gods existed in the natural elements
around us—rivers, mountains, trees, and in each single stone. The art form
known as bonkei, in which miniature landscapes are depicted with small plants
and rocks, originated in ancient times as one way of expressing nature’s divine
beauty. Framescape was specifically developed for creating and displaying these
bonkei creations at home. Grow small plants in the included miniature clay pots
and experiment with the modular design of the wooden frames, steel tray, and
ceramic planters. A bit of Zen for your bookshelf or tabletop.
Price: ¥5,400 (two wooden frames, two planters, artificial soil, one steel tray)
BAMBOO WINE VESSELS
These unique conversation pieces are made by a timehonored
technique for processing natural bamboo.
Crafted by highly skilled artisans, the wine glasses come
in two colors: white, which is the original color of the
bamboo, and the brown shade that results after the
bamboo is smoked. If you’re worried about putting red
wine in these natural containers, fear not: the vessels are
made with a special coating that resists staining by darkcolored
beverages, but still displays the organic grain of
the wood. The rims of the vessels are thin, which allows
the natural taste of the wine to come through.
Price: Set of two (one white, one brown), ¥7,776
SHUKIDARUMA
To understand this product’s name, you’ll need a quick language lesson: yuki daruma
is Japanese for “snowman,” and shuki is Japanese for “drinking vessel.” Put
them together, and you’ll also understand the idea behind the set. The snowman is
made from two sake cups and a sake bottle, which you can warm up in hot water
to make atsukan—hot sake. The two cups work as a cap for the sake bottle so it
heats up more quickly. In summer, when most snowmen would be melting, you
can store the Shukidaruma in the refrigerator for cool sake. Comes in two varieties:
the matte finish “Bisque” and “Glaze,” which has a glossy finish. Price: ¥3,780
Gift Shop Wabist
Address: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu 1-16-26
Kyowa Building 1F
Open: (Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00 Sat 12:00-18:00)
Web: www.wabist.com | Tel: 03-6459-3451
Email: eplga@wabist.co.jp
www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016