Rikumo Gift Guide: For Friends

Picks for the friends in your life.

Morihata AdminDecember 4, 2015

Influence: The Beauty of Impermanence

On endings and beginnings.

LongformMorihata AdminDecember 2, 2015Culture, Published

Rikumo Gift Guide: For Parents

Morihata AdminNovember 27, 2015

Rikumo Tales: The Stonecutter

Every month we share one story with you that has been shared many times before. In this season of gratitude, we honor the legacy of Japanese stone cutters and other craftsmen who persevere in humble circumstances.

LongformMorihata AdminNovember 25, 2015Culture, Published, Literature

Rikumo Visit: The Chrysanthemum Festival

We took a field trip to Longwood Gardens, where over 16,000 chrysanthemum blooms fill up the conservatory in celebration of the Japanese Chrysanthemum Festival.

LongformMorihata AdminNovember 18, 2015Travel, Culture, Published

Influence: Ritual Of A Thousand Artisans

Discover the fascinating ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony.

LongformMorihata AdminNovember 11, 2015Food + Drink, Culture, Tea, Published

The World of Washi

Imagine a world without paper. For many of us, it would be a minor inconvenience, far less worrisome than a power outage. In medieval Japan, however, life without washi was almost inconceivable.

LongformMorihata AdminNovember 4, 2015Culture, Published, Design

Rikumo Holiday: A Season of Change

Peer inside our Holiday Lookbook, inspired by the warm homecoming of the holiday season.

CampaignMorihata AdminNovember 3, 2015Campaign, Published

Rikumo Tales: Earless Hoichi

Just in time for Halloween, we present a spooky Japanese folktale to keep you up through the night.

LongformMorihata AdminOctober 28, 2015Culture, Literature, Published

Q+A with Illustrator Margherita Urbani

When illustrator Margherita Urbani traveled to Japan for the first time, she captured her travels the best way an artist can: by sketching thoughts and impressions in her sketchbook. The resulting Tokyo Diaryis a 40-page travel guide that showcases the beauty of encountering a new culture as an outsider.

CollaborationMorihata AdminOctober 21, 2015Interview + Studio Tour, Published, Design

Influence: Fall Colors

As the seasons shift, we are feeling inspired by the brilliant display of autumn leaves in Philadelphia. Here we reflect on how this season's colors have influenced Japanese culture.

ShortformMorihata AdminOctober 13, 2015Culture, Published

Memories of Japan: Yuka's Travel Diary

Every year, our founders Kaz and Yuka Morihata return to Japan to look for new pieces to bring back to our shop, meet with artisans, and see their family. Here's one memory from Yuka's trip this summer.

ShortformMorihata AdminOctober 7, 2015Travel, Behind the Scenes at Rikumo, Published

Influence: World in A Teacup

Tea has deeply affected Japanese culture and history, inspiring innovations in artistry while also cementing relationships and good manners. Yet the Japanese tea tradition is still alive and vivid, as easy to appreciate as a warm, freshly brewed cup of sencha.

LongformMorihata AdminSeptember 30, 2015Food + Drink, Culture, Published, Tea

Rikumo Book Club: Our Picks from the NY Art Book Fair

On Friday the Rikumo team took a field trip to the New York Art Book Fair to scope out new books for our upcoming in-store library. Here are the favorites we picked up along the way.

ListicleMorihata AdminSeptember 23, 2015Travel, Literature, Culture, Design, Published

Molding the Red Metal: The Elements of Bronze

Metallurgy as a craft demands much -equipment, skill, patience- in exchange for the opportunity to create lasting art.

LongformMorihata AdminSeptember 15, 2015Culture, Design, Published

Wabi Sabi and the Art of Imperfection

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, in its purest, most idealized form, is all about delicate traces of imperfection, showcasing faint evidence of human life at the borders of nothingness.

LongformMorihata AdminSeptember 10, 2015Design, Culture, Literature, Published

Artisan Perspective: Toshinori Itoi, The Sasawashi Company

We recently had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Toshinori Itoi, Director of the Sasawashi Company. Over cups of fresh-brewed sencha, he shared some of the company's history and design approach with us.

ShortformMorihata AdminSeptember 3, 2015Behind the Scenes at Rikumo, Design, Published, Interview + Studio Tour

Rikumo Influence: Line and Reflection

Modern Japanese architecture emphasizes horizontal lines, simplicity, and reflective spaces. While traditional touches like sliding doors and single-story structures remain popular, contemporary Japanese architecture has found its own particular style in shades of minimalism.

ListicleMorihata AdminAugust 17, 2015Design, Architecture, Published

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