Spring is a time of new beginnings and transformations, making it the perfect occasion to add a bright new piece of art to your walls or ornamentation to your ensemble. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a friend, sashay into the season with a piece of Japanese artistry, expertly altered to fit into modern-day life.
Discover our seasonal favorites below.
Kokoro Obi
Wearing a kimono just got easier thanks to Kokoro Obi — a sash that can be fastened in a flash. Developed by a former special needs educator, this innovative obi was born from a simple yet powerful observation: Japan’s traditional dress, while beautiful, remains inaccessible to many due to the difficulty of tying the obi.
In response, Kokoro Obi’s founder developed a design that can be secured in just five seconds, with zero previous experience. The innovative fastening mechanism is patented and makes the obi wearable for everyone, regardless of body type or mobility. For a firsthand look, visit the Kokoro Obi specialty shop at KM Gallery, just 10 minutes on foot from Himeji Castle. You’ll find the inclusive obi and two-piece kimono on the third floor, plus works by Japanese artists on the first floor. Workshops for the obi are scheduled to begin in April.
Hamamonyo Picture Tenugui
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, take center stage in Japan every spring, inspiring everything from food and drink to fashion and interior design — including Hamamonyo’s spring-infused picture tenugui. These vibrant ornamental cotton hand towels are first gently primed using a traditional bleaching method that removes impurities while preserving the fabric’s natural softness. The towels are then stencil-dyed in the Yokohama Nassen style, a 19th-century technique celebrated for its vivid, intricate designs.
At Hamamonyo, each season brings new motifs to a collection that’s already surpassed 3,000 unique patterns. For spring, sakura are accompanied by other icons of traditional Japanese imagery to create rich illustrations perfect for adding a touch of the season to your home.
Yoboty Inshu Washi Earrings
The beauty of Inshu washi — a traditional paper handcrafted in Tottori Prefecture for over 1,300 years — elevates everything from stationery to lampshades. To support her local community, Yoboty’s founder envisioned a new use: jewelry. Inspired by the discomfort of heavy earrings, she harnessed the paper’s lightweight nature to create a line of earlobe-friendly designs.
Yoboty’s spring collection features SAKURa, a swaying dangle of three connected blossoms, and an elegant, indi- go-dyed long dangle design. Because washi is resilient and porous, these earrings can be misted with fragrance, allowing the fibers to gently release your favorite aro- ma throughout the day. A marriage of time-honored artistry and contemporary flair, Yoboty Inshu washi earrings are an invitation to carry a piece of Japan’s traditions with you, wherever you go.
