Artisanal Crafts & Decor from Japan

Kokeshi, Ukiyo-e, wooden boxes, Amigurumi & more at Kasumiya

Japanese artisan craft combines everyday objects with aesthetics, symbolism and history. Hand-turned wooden dolls, fine wood-mosaic boxes, hand-printed woodblock prints or intricate crochet work – all of these are little ambassadors of Japanese culture, perfect as décor, collectibles or special gifts.

At Kasumiya you’ll find a curated selection of Amigurumi figures, Japanese wooden boxes (Shodobako, Hanagatsuki, Hakone Yosegi Zaiku), Kokeshi figures, original Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Shikishi 色紙 and matching accessories. Many pieces come directly from Japan – some new, some vintage or from the antiques trade of our family in Nagoya.

You can find our current offers in the “Artisanal Crafts & Decor” section in our
eBay shop under the categories “Kokeshi & Amigurumi”, “Wooden Boxes & Mosaic Work”, “Ukiyo-e & Shikishi” and “Japanese Décor & Accessories”.

What is included in “Artisanal Crafts & Decor” at Kasumiya?

Under this theme we bring together everything that:

is traditionally made in Japan,

bears a clear artisanal signature

and is suitable as decoration, collectible or gift.

This includes:

Amigurumi figures – lovingly crocheted little animals, figures and characters

Japanese wooden boxes

Shodobako – boxes for calligraphy utensils

Hanagatsuki – floral motifs & classic decorative boxes

Hakone Yosegi Zaiku – wood-mosaic work from the Hakone region

Kokeshi figures – iconic handcrafted wooden dolls

Original Ukiyo-e woodblock prints – hand-printed artworks on washi paper

Shikishi 色紙 – cards for calligraphy, ink painting or poetry (haiku, waka)

Accessories – e.g. stands, holders, small trays or decorative pieces that complement these works of art

For whom is Japanese artisanal craft & decor suitable?

These pieces are ideal for you if you:

are a Japan fan and are looking for real objects from everyday life and art history in Japan

want to decorate your home, office or studio with something special

are a collector – e.g. of Kokeshi, Ukiyo-e or specific regions such as Hakone

are looking for meaningful gifts that are anything but ordinary

are interested in tea ceremony, calligraphy, manga/anime, traditional art or design

Whether on a sideboard, in a display cabinet, next to your desk or as a companion to your tea and writing rituals – Japanese artisanal craft blends charmingly into modern spaces.

The most important categories at a glance

Amigurumi figures – Japanese crochet art for collecting & gifting

Amigurumi are small crocheted figures – animals, mythical creatures, cute characters:

handmade, often one-of-a-kind pieces or small series

loving details: embroidered faces, small accessories, mini outfits

ideal as desk decoration, gift or shelf companion

At Kasumiya you’ll find Amigurumi figures that combine beautifully with Kokeshi or other decorative pieces.

Japanese wooden boxes – Shodobako, Hanagatsuki & Hakone Yosegi Zaiku

Japanese wooden boxes are functional works of art:

Shodobako – boxes for calligraphy utensils (brushes, ink, paper, underlays)

Hanagatsuki & other wooden boxes – decorated caskets for letters, jewellery, tea or small objects

Hakone Yosegi Zaiku – the famous wood-mosaic technique from Hakone, where differently coloured woods are crafted into fine geometric patterns

They are perfect as:

gift boxes that are already a gift in themselves

storage for jewellery, writing tools, tea utensils

decorative objects that showcase Japanese craftsmanship

Kokeshi figures – iconic handcrafted collectibles

Kokeshi are traditional wooden dolls from Japan, usually with:

a cylindrical body, round head

hand-painted face and kimono motif

their own “personality” depending on region and artisan

There are:

Dento Kokeshi – classic, regional forms

Creative Kokeshi – freer, modern interpretations

Kokeshi are collected, gifted and often used as lucky charms or as a reminder of Japan. Each figure is an individual piece of handcraft.

Original Ukiyo-e woodblock prints – Edo-period art reprinted

Ukiyo-e (“pictures of the floating world”) are traditional woodblock prints:

hand-printed on washi paper

motifs: landscapes, kabuki actors, beautiful women, stories, everyday scenes

produced in classic Edo techniques with woodblocks, pigments and multi-layer colour printing

At Kasumiya you’ll find original Ukiyo-e woodblock prints – depending on the piece as vintage prints, reprints after historical designs or older originals. They are ideal for:

framing and hanging

collecting

gifting to art and Japan lovers

Shikishi 色紙 – calligraphy & art cards

Shikishi are sturdy, usually square boards with a slightly shiny border:

used for calligraphy, ink painting, haiku & waka

often already hand-painted or printed, sometimes signed

ideal for framing, as a gift or as a base for your own art projects

Shikishi combine paper art, script and image – perfect if you love Japanese aesthetics in small format.

Accessories – small helpers with big impact

In addition to the artworks, we offer, depending on availability:

small stands, holders, trays or bases

accessories for tea ceremony, calligraphy or presentation (e.g. chopstick rests, mini displays, fabric bases)

These accessories help you present your artisan pieces in a harmonious way.

How can you recognise quality in artisanal crafts & decor?

1. Material

real wood (for boxes & Kokeshi), not cheap pressed material

good yarn and clean filling for Amigurumi

washi paper and traditional printing techniques for Ukiyo-e

solid, high-quality board for Shikishi

2. Handcraft & details

for Kokeshi: neatly painted faces, clear lines, balanced proportions

for wooden boxes: clean edges, precise mosaic work, well-fitting lids

for Amigurumi: even stitches, securely sewn parts

for Ukiyo-e: fine lines, no cheap digital print look

3. Origin & signature

signatures, seals or references to workshops/artisans

for older pieces: information on era, region and maker (as far as known)

4. Condition (for vintage & antique)

slight patina or small signs of use are normal

heavy cracks, water damage or mould should clearly be stated as defects

What should you consider when buying?

Ask yourself a few questions before buying:

Decor or collectible?
Do you want to see and use the piece every day – or mainly keep it in a display case?

Space & presentation:
Do you have a place to display/frame it? Does the motif fit the rest of your interior?

Theme & motif:
Do you prefer cute figures (Amigurumi, Kokeshi), abstract patterns (Yosegi), classic art (Ukiyo-e) or script/calligraphy (Shikishi)?

Original vs. reprint/vintage:
Especially for Ukiyo-e, it can be important whether you are looking for an older original, a high-quality reprint or a modern art paper.

Care & handling – so your pieces stay beautiful for a long time

Wood (Kokeshi, boxes):

store in a dry place, not directly next to radiators or in very damp rooms

protect from direct sunlight so colours do not fade

Ukiyo-e & Shikishi:

ideally framed behind glass, preferably with UV protection

do not hang in direct sunlight

store in folders or sleeves if not on display

Amigurumi:

protect from moisture

dust gently from time to time (e.g. with a soft brush)

do not wash in a washing machine – if necessary, carefully spot-clean

This way colours, shapes and surfaces will remain attractive for many years.

What does Kasumiya offer specifically in the area of artisanal crafts & decor?

Depending on current deliveries you will find:

Amigurumi figures – handcrafted crochet art from Japan

Japanese wooden boxes (Shodobako, Hanagatsuki, Hakone Yosegi Zaiku) – as gift boxes, storage or decor

Kokeshi figures – classic and creative handcrafted collectibles

Original Ukiyo-e woodblock prints – artworks printed on washi according to Edo traditions

Shikishi 色紙 – hand-painted boards, prints and blank cards for your own art

Various accessories – stands, bases, small items for tea, writing and decoration

You can find our current offers in our
eBay shop in the category “Artisanal Crafts & Decor” and in the subcategories “Kokeshi & Amigurumi”, “Wooden Boxes”, “Ukiyo-e & Shikishi” and “Japanese Décor & Accessories”.

Discover artisanal crafts & decor at Kasumiya now
and bring a piece of Japanese craft and art history into your home – to collect, to gift and to enjoy every day.