The Nihon Craft Guide

The Nihon Craft Guide: Authentic Japanese Lacquerware, Ceramics & Knives

The Nihon Craft Guide helps English-speaking readers buy authentic Japanese lacquerware, ceramics, tea ceremony goods, and kitchen knives with confidence — written from Japan, with an honest eye for what's genuinely well-made versus what's just marketed as "Japanese style."

Written by Taku S., based in Japan — every product is checked against retailer inventory and Japanese-language sources before it's recommended.

Start HereHow to Tell Real Japanese Craft from Mass-Market KnockoffsThe six-point checklist we use across every category on this site — knives, ceramics, teapots, and lacquerware — to tell an authentic piece from a "Japanese-style" import.Read the buyer's guide →

Browse by Category

Kitchen ToolsTamagoyaki pans, cutting boards, and other kitchen tools, checked for country of origin.KnivesSantoku and other Japanese kitchen knives, compared by steel and grind.CeramicsKutani ware and other regional pottery, picked apart by kiln and finish.Tea CeremonyMatcha bowls and other chado essentials for beginners.LacquerwareChopsticks, bowls, and trays — real urushi vs. urethane look-alikes.Garden ToolsPruning shears, hori-hori knives, and saws, verified for real Japanese steel.TextilesFuroshiki, noren, and tenugui, checked for material and maker.StationeryWashi tape and calligraphy sets, checked against the brands behind them.Woodworking ToolsJapanese saws, chisels, and hand planes, compared against their Western counterparts.

Latest Articles

Best Japanese Origami Paper: Real Washi vs Regular Kami

Best Japanese Origami Paper: Real Washi vs Regular Kami

Most origami paper sold as "washi" is printed kami, not kozo-fiber washi. Three Japan-made packs from Toyo, Taro's, and JapanBargain, and what each label means.

Petty Knife vs Paring Knife: Which Small Knife Do You Need?

Petty Knife vs Paring Knife: Which Small Knife Do You Need?

A Japanese petty knife works on the cutting board; a paring knife works in your hand. Sizes, weights, and prices of Japan-made examples, and which one to buy first.

What Size Gyuto Should You Get? 210mm vs 240mm

What Size Gyuto Should You Get? 210mm vs 240mm

The same Japan-made gyuto in 180, 210, 240, and 270mm: what the extra length adds in weight and price, and the cutting-board measurement that decides it.

Best Japanese Cast Iron Skillet: Is It Really Nambu Tekki?

Best Japanese Cast Iron Skillet: Is It Really Nambu Tekki?

"Nambu Tekki" isn't protected outside Japan: a Chinese court gave the trademark to a third party in 2018. How to find a skillet made by a named Iwate ironworks.

Best Japanese Tenugui Towels: Actually Made in Japan?

Best Japanese Tenugui Towels: Actually Made in Japan?

Tenugui isn't a protected name, so look for a named maker and a stated "Made in Japan" in the listing. Two picks that clear that bar, and one that doesn't.

View all articles →