When we find a quick and easy path to accessing esoteric Japanese housewares, we take note. A new favorite is Envelope, an online Japanese superstore with product descriptions in English (rare among Japanese sites) and worldwide shipping. Envelope started as a brick-and-mortar store called the Linen Bird, located in an alley of Futakotamagawa, a south suburb of Tokyo, Japan. The owners began to use their stock room to sell online goods made by their friends, and today they call themselves “an assembly of independent stores” and are a platform for ceramic artists, textile designers, and more. Here is a look at some of the goods currently on offer.
Above: The Lisette Linen Towel is a simple tea towel with a contrast loop. It’s available in Off White (shown), Flax, Gray, Olive, and Pink; 1,836 JPY ($16) each. Above: The Uashmama Laundry Bag is made of 100 percent cellulose and comes in white and gray. It’s made of two bags (for lights and darks) that snap together; 10,044 JPY ($89). Above: Kohoro Brooms are handmade and available in small to large sizes; 4,320 to 15,984 JPY ($38 to $142). Above: Plate designed by Futoshi Miyauchi for Kohoro in both small and large sizes; 1,728 to 2,808 JPY ($15 to $25 USD). Above: The Kohoro Stackable Mugs and Saucers are 3,456 JPY ($30 USD) for the small mug, 4,104 JPY ($36 USD) for the large mug, and 1,944 JPY ($17 USD) for the saucer. They’re made by Kan Ito in a style of pottery developed by the Toko potters of Japan’s Edo period. Above: The Bamboo Julienne Slicer and Bamboo Grater from Kohoro has two types of blades for cutting thick and thin strips of vegetables; 1,620 JPY ($14.50 USD) for each. Above: The ceramic Ginger Grater is made by Jun Tsunoda for Kohoro; 3,780 JPY ($33 USD). Above: Japanese Paper Sandals are available in a range of sizes, from kids to extra large adult.
More of our favorite sources for international housewares accessories? Try these:
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