Tokyo Weekender - November 2017

[ END-OF-YEAR SPECIAL PROMOTION ]
RYUKYU HANPU OKINAWAN-
INSPIRED BAGS BY
OKINAWA-WIND CORP
Looking for a dose of summer spirit
to get you through the approaching
winter months? Well, these
Okinawan-inspired hanpu textile
bags will do the trick, while also
serving as a great statement piece.
The bags are all designed, cut and
sewn by three female craftsmen,
who bring their own personal
touch to each unique piece. Tote or
stroll bag, floral or butterfly prints,
Ryukyu Hanpu offers over 70 types
of bags featuring a variety of illustrations
by well-known Okinawan
artists. ¥7,000 (excl. tax),
www.okinawa-wind.com
Looking for something more quintessentially Japanese for that perfect gift or souvenir? We’ve
selected our favorite handcrafted items from Omotenashi Selection, a project that brings together
fine goods from around the country and shares them with international audiences
Words by Naomi Schanen
MAEKAKE JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL APRON BY
ANYTHING CO.
While it may just look like a rectangular
piece of fabric, the maekake
apron serves a bigger role. Inscribed
with a shop’s name or logo, it was
traditionally viewed as the first step
in customer interaction. It also guards
from spills, and even serves as a
lower back strain easer by supporting
the pelvis when lifting heavy things.
Through careful weaving using
Meiji- and Taisho-era methods, and
introducing original designs, Anything
has revived the maekake in a variety
of sizes and colors. From ¥5,900 (excl.
tax), anything.ne.jp/english.html
20 | NOVEMBER 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER