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 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.
$395I 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.
$420I 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.
$395I am a Hakuboku Serving Bowl. Hot or cold, silent or bold - I look forward to what I can hold.
$820I am a Noir Long Rectangle Vat. Vat-ever you’ve got, I’m more than able to hold.
$895I 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.
$970I am a Wooden Dinner Spoon. Can't think of anything better than diving head first into a bowl of soup!
$58I 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 Large Salad Bowl. When it comes to wood bowls, the bigger the better.
$695I 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.
$50I am a Thin Dish. A heavy wooden base and carved walls make me especially neat for all the salads you'll eat.
$175I am a Usuzumi Square Plate. What looks like smoke are real brush strokes.
$520I am a Usuzumi Rimmed Serving Tray. Sharing means caring so pass the tray.
$680I am a Round Rimmed Plate. With custom rims like mine, I'll park anywhere and people just stop and stare.
$150I 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 Bread Loaf Tray. My deep carved wooden walls are here to protect and make sure that whatever I carry doesn’t make a mess.
$350I am a Square Bread Plate. Toast and I are the best of friends, keeping warm and crisp till the tasty end.
$190I 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 Hakuboku Serving Tray. I've got a surface big enough to hold at least two or three. Anyone care to keep me company?
$580I 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.
$270I am a Hakuboku Small Bowl. You'll have to eat it all for a nice surprise. At the bottom of my bowl is where it lies.
$170I am a White Urushi Rimmed Bowl. I'm made of wood? No way!
$325I am a wood White Urushi Rimmed Plate. It's so good you could lick the plate. Just don't get tricked when there's none left to lick.
$320I am a wood ‘Mamezara’ Mini Plate. I’m really good at the little things.
$160I am a Noir Centerpiece Bowl. With the depth that I have, I can hold the world for you.
$2,550I 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.
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