Known as a visionary for his introduction of the color white in urushi lacquered woodwares, the Matsumoto-based artisan, Ryuji Mitani has paved the way for a new outlook on traditional woodcrafts. Revered the world over, and with an ardent, long-standing following in Japan, he has redefined the very syntax of his field with his leadership and writings in regards to a post-Mingei lifestyle crafts movement called Seikatsu Kogei. As a result he has inspired an entire generation of artisans in his pursuits of blurring established boundaries in his field.
I am a Noir Chestnut Wood Vat. My shape is inspired by a large vat found in dark rooms for photography. I guess you can say that makes me picture perfect.
$1,450I am a Jewelry Box. X marks the spot for treasure, but here a circle marks it instead.
$330I am an Usuzumi Thin Lid Box. Drawn in by the warmth of the wood grain, open me to find a dark surprise. What starry treasures will you find to put within me...
$550I am a Black Walnut Bowl. My wood is a rare choice for Mitani-san, making me a rare find. Anything put within me will surely shine.
$875I am an Usuzumi Round Oak Tray. It doesn't take an all-seeing eye to know how much work went into my creation. It'll take just one meal for you to observe my glory.
$920I am a White Urushi Noodle or Soup Bowl. A bit of flare can add many facets to your standard soup to make a hearty bowl extra heartwarming.
$1,100I am a Hexagonal White Urushi Sake Cup. Pick me up to learn about all six sides of my personality. It'll take a few sips for everything to sake in.
$485I am a Large White Urushi Walnut Carved Bowl. The depth of my soul may be a vast empty space, but what makes me complete is what you decide to do with me.
$2,850I am a Long Walnut Nano Glass Coated Tray. The branch of science may sound like my forte, but the branch of walnut is more my core.
$755I am a White Urushi Confectionary Platter. Which sweets will take the spotlight on my surface after the grand applause? It's your choice of what is on center stage.
$625I am a Small Shallow Usuzumi Oval Bowl. What food am I going to sail away with? Come on a voyage to find out.
$390I am a White Urushi Baby Bowl Set. A baby's first bite is a big deal. So am I.
$925I am a Usuzumi Chestnut Plate. Which is more hypnotizing: me or the food that I hold?
$895I am the book Crafts, and Then. Come explore with me across materials and methods to understand Ryuji Mitani's life philosophies. Just as a plate fills you with food, my pages will fill your soul.
$28I am a Walnut Coffee Spoon. A fine, dark grain is my jam, but dunk me in java and I'll show you how to jive.
$42I am a Small Urushi Funnel. It might look confining but be like water and you will find a way through it.
$310I am a Large Urushi Funnel. Fluidity is key to finding a good flow at the end of the tunnel.
$385I am a Natural Wood Ice Cream Cup. These tree rings tell time and they're saying it's ice cream time.
$320I am a Noir Urushi Ice Cream Cup. Some might say I'm rather mysterious - dark as the night and cool like ice, but took a closer look, I've got the warmth of wood at my core.
$375I am a White Urushi Ice Cream Cup. Two scoops, hot fudge and two cherries on top will cheer you right up!
$425I am an Ice Cream Spoon. When it comes to ice cream I just can’t stop. You’d better keep an eye on me or I’ll scoop the cherry on top!
$40I am a Butter Box. Butter be safe than sorry about how you serve and spread.
$240I am a Usuzumi Square Plate. What looks like hazy smoke is layers of brush strokes.
$420I am a White Urushi Shinogi Pitcher. Marked with ridges of narrow carved bands, I'll help you get a grip when you pour from out my lip.
$620I am a Boat Chasoku. My bow will dip as I traverse the leafy seas, to meet you on the other shore for tea.
$480I am a Plum Blossom Dish. Blossoming for eternity for your eternal happiness.
$385I am a Wooden Baby Spoon. When it comes to mealtime distractions, I'm not one of them. Just a small spoon cup and handle perfectly carved for tiny mouths.
$40I am a Soldier Brooch. I'm always standing at attention so that you can wear me at ease.
$125I am the book 1981-2021: The Forty Years of Woodcraft Studio "Mitani". After chiseling and carving for so many years, Ryuji Mitani shows us the path he's shaped, of which I'm happy to share.
$60I am an Untitled (2019). With a name like mine, you know there'll be no illusion.
$1,200I am a Dog Sculpture. Keep still in the hot, hard dog-days and they too will pass.
$1,220I am a Bird Sculpture. I would be as happy as a lark to make a perch in your home.
$1,220I am a Noir Rimmed Plate. Looks can be deceiving - when you look at these walls, I’m not as shallow as you think.
$625I am a Hakuboku Serving Bowl. Hot or cold, silent or bold - I look forward to what I can hold.
$1,100I am a Jindainire Long Vat. My depth is as deep as my origins.
$520I am a Wood and Enamel Salt Cellar. When great minds and great materials meld, the result is something as beautiful as me!
$460I am a Noir Large Shallow Bowl. Solid and dependable I will keep your items safe from being lost in a black hole.
$1,375I am a Wooden Dinner Spoon. Can't think of anything better than diving head first into a bowl of soup!
$65I am a Hors d'Oeuvre Wooden Fork. Hey little canapé, time to get tined!
$38I am a set of Wooden Salad Servers. I’m not just for salad, I’m pretty multipurpose. As long as I can help, than I’ll be of service.
$175I am a Salt Spoon. I was made for salt, chili, spice and all things nice.
$28I am a Salt Bowl. Don't underestimate the small wooden ones. They can pack a big flavor punch.
$65I am a Usuzumi Rimmed Serving Tray. Sharing means caring so pass the tray.
$1,350I am a Wooden Pasta Fork. I love being wrapped up in a warm noodle sweater.
$65I am a Incense Case. If you carry me, I'll bring good scents to all our adventures.
$85I am a Wooden Cheese Knife. I may be smooth to the touch, but look a little closer and you’ll see that I’m not so clean cut.
$55I am a Wooden Honey Spoon. But not just anyone can call me honey!
$48I am a Spindle Back Children’s Chair. Children like chairs, are easier to build strong than they are to repair when they are older.
$850I am a Ladderback Children’s Chair. Let me love you a little more before you’re not little anymore.
$850I am a Hakuboku Coffee Cup. Wood you like a cup of coffee?
$450I am a Jū Cross Plate. I'm the Japanese character for '10' so naturally that makes me a 10 outta 10 on the plate scale.
$420I am a Noir Centerpiece Bowl. With the depth that I have, I can hold the world for you.
$3,475