Kinkouen

The sumi ink is made in collaboration with Kinkoen, a 150-year-old family-run business in Nara. As the first capital of Japan and home to notable temples and shrines, Nara has been known for sumi since the 8th century. With the decline of sumi use, Kinkoen is one of the few remaining companies that still produce sumi in Japan.

Kurotani Washi

Kurotani washi is one of the most renowned washi makers in Japan, with 800 years of history to back up their pedigree. The village of Kurotani-cho revolves around washi making, and their process — all these years later — is still entirely by hand. Appropriately, their style of washi is famous for its durability. Kurotani Washi has been nurturing and passing on the tradition for generations, incorporating new techniques and crafting new products to expand their skills.

Yanase Chochin

The Yanase family is a 6th-generation family business established in the mid-19th century, specializing in Kyoto-style chochin lanterns. As the number of craftspeople with the skills to make chōchin decreases, the Yanase family is working to train young craftspeople to inherit traditional techniques, as they pivot to crafting lighting for modern homes.

Tete

Tete is a local artisan based in Kyoto who started pursuing working with washi paper five years ago. She crafts tableware, tea utensils, fixtures, tissue boxes, and more using washi - diversifying and expanding its use in a modern home.