Anything Co. Maekake Japanese Traditional Apron
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
Shupatto Foldable Tote
Cleverly designed in Japan, meet the Shupatto: the “one-pull” foldable bag. A perfect replacement for single-plastic bags, the slim-profiled Shupatto folds down neatly, so it’s easy to take on the go to carry groceries, shopping and baked goods. To open, the folded accordion pleats expand into a roomy bag; to quickly close, pull both ends of the bag until taut pleats form again, then roll back into a coil for storage. The Shupatto is made from lightweight (just 69 grams) durable material, too; when tested by the makers, the pleats still folded perfectly after 100 cycles in a washing machine. And the quick-drying material can handle wet or messy items, too. The Ougi print features a traditional Japanese folding hand fan. The Sakura print features a classic cherry blossom motif.