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If you've searched for "best urushi supplier" or "where to buy urushi lacquer," whether for kintsugi, lacquer craft projects, fountain pen finishing, or any other application, you've likely encountered YouTube videos and blog posts reviewing Japanese urushi suppliers as if they were art supply stores. This article discusses why that approach is misguided and how it may harm one of Japan's most fragile craft supply chains. Understanding the Urushi Ecosystem To grasp why this m

A story of a Hakata bentwood artisan in Fukuoka, and what a true craft experience in Japan can offer beyond making and taking.

Discover the truth about kintsugi kits – are you overpaying for basic tools? Unveil the value behind handmade spatulas and the art of kintsugi.

On microplastics in food containers, a documentary that arrived late; and a craft that never needed reassurance. Netflix’s Plastic Detox arrives at a moment when the word ‘microplastic’ has moved out of scientific journals and into everyday anxiety. It shows up in tap water. In the bloodstream. In human placentas. The documentary follows that thread with urgency, expanding outward into fast fashion, fast-moving consumer goods, and single-use packaging. Different industries,

Planning a trip to Japan in 2026? Join our Traditional Kintsugi Workshop in Daigo (Oct 22–30) and begin at the source: the urushi forest. Learn authentic lacquer repair through hands-on practice, meet the foresters who sustain the craft, and experience rural Japan beyond the usual route.

Since July 2021 (EU) and January 2021 (UK), all goods imported from outside the European Union and the United Kingdom are subject to VAT upon arrival — regardless of value. The previous low-value VAT exemption has been removed. This means that when ordering from Japan, import VAT will apply even for small purchases. How VAT Is Collected When your parcel arrives in your country: The carrier submits the shipment to customs. Local VAT is calculated based on your country’s rate.