Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in craft products that show Japanese-ness, like daruma, sensu fans and masu cups. I'm also interested in Kumano brushes as they are famous as makeup brushes.

Why were you interested in these products, and why did you choose them?I'd been a member of the tea ceremony club during junior high school, so I had interest in Japanese culture.
I'd also had interest in Kumano brushes as they are well known in China as a makeup tool brand. I think that for small items like makeup brushes, "made in Japan" is the best. It would be better if there is more variety in the available colors, like silver and pink. I like Japanese sake, and I think that the masu cup with its unique Japanese design is good for enjoying drinking sake. This 5-cup set is useful for enjoying with family and friends.　

How are you using the products at home?The makeup brush fits my lips well and it was easy to use. I am displaying the masu cup in my room, and looking at it makes me want to drink sake. It can hold more than it seems, so it's perfect for sake fans.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?The good points about Japanese products are their high quality and excellent service. I want to give products with unique Japanese designs, like kimonos, to my friends and family.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in craft products that let me feel the traditional Japan, like the iron kettle, lacquerware and braids. I'm also interested in Kumano brushes and actually own some.This time I was especially interested in the Kyoto Braid Tea Caddy.

Why were you interested in this product, and why did you choose it?I had been interested in Japanese etiquettes and wanted to entertain guests some day, so I joined the tea ceremony club (sadobu) in my university. That got me interested in iron kettles and tea caddies. Seeing this tea caddy with Kyoto braids, I was attracted by the classy and mild shine of silk. As I held one in my hand, I felt that it had a unique warm touch that regular tea caddies don't have.

How are you using it at home?I like the warm comfortable touch of silk that I can feel every time I take out some tea leaves. I usually have it displayed as an interior decoration, and it has made my room look better.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?I want to recommend this tea caddy to my family and friends so that they can also experience the warmth of Kyoto braids. I've heard that Kumano brushes are used by makeup artists abroad, and I want people in Taiwan to know more about such good Japanese products.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in Japanese crafts like maneki neko, daruma and sensu fans. I especially like maneki neko.

Why were you interested in this product, and why did you choose it?I've always liked animals and I've had interest in ornaments with animal designs. When I was a child, one of my friends had a maneki neko in the house and it had been in my mind ever since I saw it. I'm very interested in the story about how the cat with its right hand (front leg) raised is said to bring in economic fortune, and one with the left hand (front leg) raised is said to bring in customers. You can now see these lucky figurines in Hong Kong. too.

Where in your house do you display the maneki neko?Since these figurines are palm-sized, I put these white and gold maneki neko alongside one another on my desk. When I see the expressions on these cats as I study, work or use the internet, it makes me calm. I think they may be good for the workplace, too.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?In Japan, traditional crafts are not just beautiful to look at but also have interesting stories about them. It might be interesting to look for your favorite item from its related story in addition to its aesthetics.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in the Kumano brushes and crafts with Japanese design. This time, I was most interested in the Tango Chirimen hand bag.

Why were you interested in this product, and why did you choose it?I first became interested in Japan when I saw Japanese anime and manga. I'm currently studying manga. I especially came to like products with traditional Japanese designs. Actually seeing this product, it has a very cute design and I thought that I can use it for everyday use.　

Now that you've had the chance to use it, what's your impression?I think it's cute! It can be a little bigger, though.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?I think that many women will like traditional products with cute Japanese designs. Stylish crafts that have a variety of uses are attractive, such as this hand bag and Kumano brush, dishes etc. I want to tell the people in my home country about regular Japanese life through manga and traditional crafts.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in dishes, and I was most interested in this Hagi ware large dish.

Why were you interested in this product, and why did you choose it?I'm interested in the zen-like, simple beauty of the Japanese aesthetic. The trigger is the escape to peacefulness it gives me as a break from the noise and crowds of Tokyo. I chose the product because I appreciate masculine crafts, and I like homemade dishes. I thought the color and shape were beautiful.

Now that you've had the chance to use it, what's your impression?I've temporarily displayed the item (see photos), but I will most likely give it as a gift. I would likely recommend this item to anyone asking about Japanese souvenirs.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?Japanese craft products are generally more delicate compared with those of the U.S. or Australia. Any number of items could easily be given as gifts to acquaintances, colleagues, friends, and family. For Christmas in the past, I've brought back traditional Japanese souvenirs such as folding fans and dishes as gifts.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in the maccha bowl, masu cup and maneki neko. This time, I was most interested in the maccha bowl.

Why were you interested in this product, and why did you choose it?Since I took a course on Japanese culture in university, I came to like Japanese history, architecture and cooking as well as popular culture such as manga and anime. I'm especially interested in the Sengoku period. I really like Japanese pottery, and this maccha bowl is just amazing. Especially the colors. They are very calm and pleasant.　　

Now that you've had the chance to use it, what's your impression?I'm displaying it in my room. It's so beautiful, I don't really want to use it to drink maccha yet.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?I don't think that Japanese culture needs any introduction in my country. It's already popular enough. Other than the maccha bowl I chose this time, I think the masu is just cool. It would be really awesome to drink nihonshu from it with friends. Maneki neko would be a good present from Japan since it's popular abroad.

Which Japanese craft interested you?I'm interested in Chirimen crepe goods and handmade chopsticks. I'm especially interested in the Chirimen crepe sewing box set that I brought home this time. I'm also interested in Kumano brushes.

Why were you interested in the sewing box set and makeup brush, and why did you choose them?I saw Chirimen goods when I visited Kyoto, and I strongly felt the sense of Japan.The sewing box has bright colors and a gorgeous design, and it especially stood out among the other products. Plus, it was very cute, so I chose it. Japanese cosmetic brushes are famous for their high quality, so I was already interested. In fact, I was just thinking of buying such brushes.

How are you using them at home?The sewing box is very sturdy and I can feel its high quality. Just putting it in my room made the room brighter. It's very useful since it has ample room inside and I can put many things in it. I was surprised by the softness of the makeup brush. The quality is so good that it can't be compared to other brushes I'd used before. Makeup can be applied much more smoothly. I'm very satisfied.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?I believe that traditional Japanese production methods, taking great care to the smallest detail, are really special. I want to tell my friends about the items I chose this time.The sewing box not only has a cute design but is very useful, so it's perfect for a woman's room. I recommend the makeup brush to all women.

How did you become interested in Japan, and which Japanese craft interested you?I became interested in Japan when I started learning about Japanese literature of the Showa period (especially Yasunari Kawabata) and Ukiyo-e. I'm especially interested in Fun with Flowers, porcelains and Kumano brushes. I'd like to get the porcelains and brushes myself.

Why did you choose "Fun with Flowers?"It's very interesting to me since I like flower arrangement. I like its simple yet modern design, color and light weight that would be suitable in any room. I can use it as an ornament to decorate my room as well as put flowers in it.

How are you using it at home?Actually using it, I found that it's the perfect size. I put some seasonal flowers in it to change the ambience of my room a little. Since it's made of aluminium, I was worried that it might look a bit cheap, but the aluminium really didn't stand out too much and it was easy to match it with flowers, furniture, tablecloth, etc.

Is there anything you'd like to tell the readers?I think that the quality of Japanese products is superior in the world. I want to introduce Japanese kitchen goods to my home country. In Latvia, we only use large dishes for our regular meals, and they're mostly white. We'll be able to enjoy table arrangements as well as our meals if we use a variety of small and colorful dishes like in Japan.