Other Gifts
Greeting Cards
The custom of greeting cards can be traced to ancient China and Egypt. Today they still function in the same way, to convey messages of celebration. Greeting cards arose in Europe in the 13th century, from printed New Year’s Day greetings made by Germans on handmade paper. At the time, this would... »
Japanese Lacquerware (urushi)
Japanese Lacquerware, also known as urushi, is a treasured art form in the East and West. It likely began use as a protective and decorative coating six thousand years ago. Lacquer is derived from the aged sap of the lacquer or urushi tree, and has been called one of the first paints and glues.... »
Kutani Pottery
Kutani pottery takes it name from the Japanese region in which it is made. Kutani pottery has long been cherished for its elaborate designs and lush colors. The earliest forms of Kutani pottery were tea wares and vessels for food storage after the Maeda family established the first kiln in the area in the 17th... »
Porcelain
Porcelain is a hard, white, translucent ceramic that is fired in a kiln. Porcelain is usually covered in a glaze and decorated. The Chinese first developed porcelain in the 7th Century using a special type of clay and stone particular to the region. Porcelain was originally valued for its hardness as well as being... »
Iron
Iron is a metal with a wide variety of uses and functions ranging from essential body processes to sculpture. In its pure state it is soft and silvery white, however it is more often found combined with other minerals as iron ore. The early uses of iron were chiefly functional, for example for military equipment... »