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 an Usuzumi Katakuchi Pitcher. I'm a winged whisperer of traditions, where the black night embraces the dawn, and each pour of sake takes flight with grace.
$550I am a Noir Chopsticks Holder. When chopsticks need a sanctuary to rest until their moment of glory arrives, I'm the utilitarian hero, ready to come alive.
$520I am a Noir Round Curved Rim Platter. Find me where shadows dance and delicacies find their stage—a wooden canvas of elegance, waiting to embrace culinary artistry.
$1,850I am a Large White Urushi Rim Plate. Born from the hands of a skilled artisan, I embody the beauty of handmade craftsmanship. My wide rim delicately frames your culinary creations, to highlight the artistry infused into every inch.
$700I am a Small White Urushi Rim Plate. I gently cradle every dish in a wooden center wrapped with a lovingly crafted rim. Here is where flavors converge and flourish with each bite.
$590I am a Large Noir Enju Wood Tray. A masterpiece of contrasts and contradictions describes me well. I'm where the velvety blackness of night meets the warm embrace of Pagoda wood. Every line, every groove, beckoning you to the depths of serenity.
$1,350I 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