Explore more about Kyoto Traditional Handcrafts and Food
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On September 25, 2024, the second part of the Tokyo Ginza Mitsukoshi Kyoto Exhibition began. This exhibition continues to showcase Kyoto’s traditional crafts, authentic food, and modern desserts. What stands out the most is the artisan spirit of Kyoto’s traditional craft shops. Let’s explore this remarkable exhibition together!
※You can check out the Chinese version of this article from the following link.
The Spirits of Kyoto Craft Masters
The term “artisan spirit” seems to have become synonymous with Japan’s traditional shops, but what exactly does “artisan spirit” refer to? After communicating and interacting with these artisans, you will truly understand its essence. Let’s dive in and explore together!
Yoshisada Knives
Yoshisada Knives(京之鍛冶師 義定) was founded in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district during the mid-Edo period, and this year marks over 360 years of its history. Mr. Yamaguchi, who has come to Ginza Mitsukoshi today, is the 10th-generation successor and one of Kyoto’s excellent master blade artisans.
In 2011, he was awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon by the Emperor of Japan, a prestigious honor given to exemplary individuals in crafts, agriculture, and commerce.
Mr. Yamaguchi told us that he spends most of his time in the workshop, and if we visit Kyoto, we should be sure to stop by and see him there. Even at the Ginza Mitsukoshi counter, he didn’t take a break; instead, he brought his workbench directly to the store.
In today’s fast-paced modern world, the speed at which people use and replace products has significantly increased. It’s rare for anyone to have the habit of using an item for a lifetime anymore. Even something as durable as a knife is quickly discarded and replaced with a new one once it becomes dull.
In ancient Japan, a single knife could last a lifetime. The bladesmith not only forged the knife but also took care of its maintenance. A good knife only needed to be sharpened once or twice a year to maintain its sharpness.
If you want a quality knife, I highly recommend getting one here! With 360 years of history, the quality is guaranteed, and their kitchen knives, thanks to their unique texture, prevent food from sticking to the blade, making them incredibly practical.
This long-established shop, while rooted in tradition, also embraces innovation. Many people who enjoy camping opt for their camping knives, which are compact, sharp, sturdy, and highly practical—definitely recommended! They also sell small, portable items such as scissors and nail clippers. If you’re interested, be sure to come and take a look!
Kyoto Odamasu
Kyoto Odamasu(京都 小田益) is also a shop with a long history, specializing in creating Kyot0ningy0 (a generic term for unglazed dolls made in Kyoto). The history of these unglazed dolls dates back over a thousand years. After being baked, the dolls are hand-painted, transforming them into charming toys.
Every figurine at Kyoto Odamasu is handmade. The shop owner shared with us that the original intention behind making these Kyot0ningy0 was to bring people a sense of healing when they see such adorable toys.
At the Ginza Mitsukoshi Kyoto exhibition, the shop owner’s son is responsible for painting the gold leaf figurines. Here, you can request a custom design or have your name written on the figurine, making it a perfect personalized gift for a friend.
Sagaraden Nomura
Sagaraden Nomura(嵯峩螺鈿・野村) was established over a hundred years ago at the end of the Meiji era. It is the only specialized store in Kyoto’s Sagano Arashiyama area dedicated to Kyoto lacquerware and raden jewelry.
At Sagaraden, completing a single piece of jewelry requires 60 to over 100 processes. While most shops typically use only one type of shell when making raden jewelry, Sagaraden goes a step further in their pursuit of luster, extracting colors from five different types of shells to create their pieces.
The luster of a shell has a specific direction, so to ensure that each piece of jewelry shines brilliantly from every angle, the arrangement and combination of each shell are meticulously crafted.
Among all shells, the marbled turban is the most valuable. This precious shell was even used in the treasures of Shosoin at Todaiji Temple in Nara. At Sagaraden, you can purchase exquisite items made from this rare marbled turban. Be sure to come and take a look!
Kyoto’s Traditional Food
In the second part of the Ginza Kyoto Exhibition, there are also many traditional Japanese foods to enjoy. You can taste classic Japanese sweets like dango (rice dumplings) and teriyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste) and drink delicious Japanese tea.
Kotoka
The dango from kotoka(古都香) is freshly made and delicious. The skilled artisans from Kyoto’s Kotoka start grilling the dango early in the morning. After grilling, the dango is soaked in a sweet, flavorful sauce for a while, enhancing its taste.
The Dango here is completely free of additives, and even after cooling down, it remains incredibly flavorful. If you can’t finish it at once, you can store it in the fridge and simply reheat it in the microwave the next day. It will regain its soft and chewy texture, making it as enjoyable as when freshly made.
Koufukuya
Taiyaki is genuinely a must-try traditional Japanese delicacy. Freshly baked taiyaki has a perfectly crispy yet soft outer layer, while the sweet red bean filling is rich but not overly sweet. Paired with a cup of hot tea, it feels like the entire day is filled with warmth and comfort.
The taiyaki at Koufukuya(幸福屋) are also freshly made on-site. In addition to the classic red bean filling, they offer custard and chestnut fillings as well. If you get a bit hungry while shopping on the first floor, head up to the 7th floor for a bite!
The two-week Ginza Mitsukoshi Kyoto Exhibition seems to be coming to an end in the blink of an eye. It’s rare to experience the charm of Kyoto in Tokyo, but each time I visit, I can’t help but indulge in shopping, leaving with my hands full! If you’re shopping at Ginza Mitsukoshi, be sure to stop by the 7th floor and check out the Kyoto Exhibition. The details for the second part are as follows:
Ginza Mitsukoshi Kyoto Exhibition Part 2
Dates: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – Monday, September 30, 2024
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Ends at 6:00 PM on the last day)
Location: Tokyo Ginza Mitsukoshi New Building 7th Floor Event Hall
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Written by
Hi, I'm delighted to get to meet you through my sharing. I am a freelance writer who loves traveling, reading, and food. I'm also the mother of a two-year-old child. Living in Japan for eight years has been both long and short—long enough for me to know Tokyo, where I reside, like the back of my hand, and short because there are still so many aspects waiting for me to explore. Here, I will share the fantastic culture and my thoughts about this beautiful country, hoping you will fall in love with Japan just as I have.
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