New at OEN Shop – Ceramics Handmade by Japanese Studio TOKINOHA
The rarity of a workshop that supports multiple craftsmen and their output is quite rare. I think it takes a particular kind of craftsman to want to go this route, looking to build a sustainable business around craft so that many more can enjoy these kind of works. That’s exactly what Kyoto-based
OEN Issue 2 – A Visit to Woodworker Shuji Nakagawa’s Studio
With hundreds of years of tradition comes hundreds of years of history to uphold. No pressure then. It takes a special maker to not only take a craft by the scruff of the neck, but to run with it and adapt in a contemporary way; to translate the work for a new audience while holding […]
Timeless in Nature – A Look at Chochikukyo House in Oyamazaki, Kyoto
As part of our travel series we take a visit to Chochikukyo House in Kyoto Prefecture that was designed in the 1920's and integrates both Japanese and Western techniques respectively.
New at OEN Shop – Introducing OEN Sencha in Collaboration with d:matcha
We are proud to announce our first branded OEN sencha green tea made in collaboration with Kyoto based farm d:matcha that's now available to purchase at OEN shop.
New Feature – Hiking in the town of Wazuka in Kyoto with d:matcha
Read our new feature on a company currently residing in the famous town of Wazuka called d:matcha, founded by Daiki Tanaka who is producing high quality matcha and sencha in Japan.
New at OEN Shop – Introducing a Selection of Japanese Matcha & Sencha
Ceramics and tea have always gone hand in hand, so with such strong links I always wanted to incorporate high quality tea in to the shop and we are pleased to announce our first selection.
In Open Space – A Visit to the Garden of Fine Arts in Kyoto by Tadao Ando
We travel to the Garden of Fine Arts in Kyoto that was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, built with the intention of being able to appreciate paintings in an outdoor space.
The Nature of Things – A Personal Portrait of Asahiyaki in Kyoto by Robert Wiezorek
Robert Wiezorek is a German filmmaker who undertook the project of documenting the work of a traditional pottery workshop called Asahiyaki in Uji, a city just south of Kyoto in Japan.
Timeless Appeal – A Visit to Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa in Kyoto, Japan
Continuing our series of adventures from Japan is a visit to Katsura Rikyu, or Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto, Japan. We were able to photograph the gardens and surround property one morning.
Natural Beauty – A Visit to Japanese Potter Kawai Kanjiro’s House in Kyoto
A glimpse inside the home and studio of Kawai Kanjiro, a Japanese potter who was a key figure in the mingei and studio pottery movement, which included Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada.
Transforming Nature – Black Granite Sculptures by Masaomi Raku
I'm in awe of the 'Transmigration' series by Japanese sculptor Masaomi Raku, sculptures out of granite which have been placed on a plinth and are both powerful and abstract.
Film by Takashi Kuroyanagi – Handmade Japanese Paper of Kurotani Kyoto
Takashi Kuroyanagi has visited many workshops in Kyoto to record the techniques of the various craftsmen based there, this subject is Kurotani, a paper making town near Kyoto.