Tokyo Weekender - November 2017

“PANDORA” YAKI-KIRI TRADITIONAL PAINTED BOX BY
PAULOWNIA FURNITURE AZUMA
Yes, a box. But not just any kind of box. In an era when low-margin,
high-volume production is the norm, Azuma strives to produce only the
highest quality items, one by one, using the best materials. The Pandora
Box is made through a melange of old and new – the traditional manufacturing
technique of yaki-kiri is combined with a new finishing method
to bring out the smooth texture of the wood. While most lacquer items
are created with artificial paint and an urushi coating finish, Azuma’s are
made using only real urushi lacquer coating, leaving the delicate boxes
with that gorgeous shine. ¥200,000 (excl. tax), azuma-kiri.jp
ORGANIC COTTON MASK
BY WAY-OUT INC.
Say goodbye to foggy glasses and breathing difficulties
with these gentle, gauze-woven, organic cotton
masks that are eco-friendly, reusable, and available
in six pastel shades (using plant-derived dyes). Being
ill never looked so good. From ¥1,600 (excl. tax),
way-out.sunnyday.jp
FUMFUM TABI SHOES
BY GENNAI SEIYAKU CO.
What do you get when you cross traditional Japanese
shoes with kids’ fashion? Fumfum’s animal
tabi shoes. Developed by pharmaceutical company
employees, the shoes help to prevent common foot
problems, and provide stability and strength.
¥2,759 (excl. tax), tabi-fumfum.jp
KIZARA KYOGI WOOD SHAVINGS MEMO
PAD BY FORESTFEELING CO., LTD
Made with pieces of kyogi (thinly shaved wooden
material) between 0.15mm and 0.25mm thick, these
memo pads take writing to a whole new level. Unbelievably
smooth and beautifully textured thanks to
the tree’s natural oils, your pen will positively glide
across the page. From ¥480, kizara.org/english
LOG MORE TREES LEATHER
SPEAKER BY SYRINX
Unlike conventional wooden
or metal speakers, this audio
system is encased with soft Yezo
sika deer leather from Hokkaido.
This not only helps to reduce
vibration, reverberation and
resonance, but also spreads the
sound evenly to give you that live
music feel. Sleek, innovative and
stylish, the speakers fit well into
all kinds of décor. Over 100,000
Yezo sika deer are captured
every year to protect the forests,
so the product is in fact utilizing
leather that would otherwise
go to waste. ¥90,000 (excl. tax),
syrinx.audio
HANDMADE HOME
FRAGRANCES BY PARFUM
SYMPHONIE
Ever wish your home smelled like
Japanese gardens and sake? Made by a
perfumer who trained at an acclaimed
perfume institute in France, Parfum
Symphonie’s handmade collection
of fragrances includes eye-catching
names such as Fleur de Wasabi and
Mizubasho. Much like composing a
piece of orchestral music, where sounds
from each instrument combine to create
music, these home fragrances are a
beautiful blend of Japanese scents all
coming together in perfect harmony.
Whether you use them at home or while
traveling, these unique and compact
perfumes are a great way to always have
a piece of Japan with you. And guests will
love them, too. Violette Leaf ¥3,612, Cassis
Wood ¥3,797, Shara ¥3,797, Aska ¥3,797,
Mizubasho ¥3,797, Bamboo ¥3,982,
Sandalwood ¥3,982, Crossover ¥4,167,
Fleur de Wasabi ¥4,167 (all prices excl.
tax), parfumsymphonie.shop
TOKYO WEEKENDER | NOVEMBER 2017 | 21