one: Japanese gallery Carre MOJI selects the very best modern works of the traditional Japanese art form of calligraphy. Exhibited recently at Tokyo Big Site’s Interior Lifestyle Living show, the company sells over 2,000 works of art, beautifully captured and interpreted by 12 highly skilled artists. For a closer look and to help decide which piece should liven up your apartment, visit the Carre MOJI gallery in Tokyo’s fashion hub Aoyama.
Carre MOJI (www.carremoji.jp/en), from ¥100,000.
two: The Akari beehive table lamp is a design classic held in New York’s Museum of Modern Art collection since the 1950s. Designer and sculptor Isamu Noguchi attempted to revive Japan’s paper lantern industry by electrifying the traditional handmade washi paper and bamboo shade. The iconic piece is still available to buy; pop into the Tokyo MoMA Store in Omotesando or purchase from the MOMA website.
MoMA Store (www.momastore.jp), ¥8,400.
three: Like Weekender, this product is a classic dating back to the 1970s. The Yoshimoto Cube is named after it’s creator, Naoki Yoshimoto, and is perfect for livening up the desk of any Tokyo executive. Yoshimoto created the quirky polyhedral toy from eight interconnected cubes that can be opened in multiple ways. The silver and gold designer object has endless ways of dividing a cube in 3D space.
MoMA Store (www.momastore.jp), ¥4,725.
four: In the globalized market, authenticity is becoming a sought after commodity; today a logo is no longer enough to satisfy quality conscious consumers who often look for provenance above branding. Studio Zero Denim are jeans designed and made in Japan. The company doesn’t compromise on quality, and the fabric is high-grade selvedge from Okayama using quality cotton and hemp weaves. The boutique brand is already becoming popular in Tokyo night clubs, and is available to buy worldwide. Look for the unique ‘Z’ stitching on the pocket.
Studio Zero Denim (www.studiozerodenim.com), ¥15,800–¥29,800.
five: 2 Carat Cup is a fun product certain to get a good reaction from a loved one. The porcelain cup is packaged in a black velvet box, and only when the cup is removed do you see the hidden gold or silver handle, embedded with Swarovski crystal, giving it the appearance of a sparkling ring. Designed by Yusuke Fujinuma.
MoMA Store (www.momastore.jp), ¥3,675.
six: As everybody knows, a staple cuisine in Japan is soup noodles. The ramen spork set, originally designed by Masami Takahashi for use at the popular Sugakiya restaurant chain, easily twists noodles and ladles soup. The ingenious product cuts out ecological wast caused by disposable chopsticks, and is equally useful at home.
MoMA Store (www.momastore.jp), ¥2,100 for a set of two.
