Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

110  T OK Y O AREA B Y AREA

There is a whole tradition of dolls
made for viewing in glass cases;
these run into hundreds, even
thousands, of dollars to buy. A
good supplier is Yoshitoku in
Asakusa. Mataro Ningyo in Ueno
specializes in Edo kimekomi dolls.
The figurines in Suke roku, at the
end of Senso-ji’s Nakamise-dori,
are easy to carry home.
Noren, the cloth curtains that
hang over the entrances to
many small shops, are unique
Traditional umbrellas for sale in Nakamise-dori, near Senso-ji Temple mementos. Bengara speciali zes
in noren, with beautiful cotton
Contemporary Art Traditional Arts and silk designs.
and Design and Crafts Wood-block prints are rarely
Galleries and showrooms Crafts are thriving in Japan. bargains, but are available at
come and go in Tokyo; check Ceramics is by far the most reasonable prices. In Jinbocho
local sources of information active craft, and the average two famous shops are almost
(see p112) for the latest shows. Japanese person has a working next to each other: Ohya Shobo
The Spiral Garden in Minami- knowl edge of the distinct styles and Hara Shobo. For new prints
Aoyama’s Spiral Building (see and techniques used in from old wood-blocks on washi
p102) usually has something different areas of the country. Isetatsu is excellent; it also sells
interesting by Japanese artists. The larger ceramic bowls used beautiful sheets of chiyogami
The shop on the second for matcha (powdered from old designs.
floor has a selection of green tea) are striking in
contemporary their simple, natural Specialty Shops
housewares. forms; good pieces
In Ginza you will be firmly There are all kinds of niche shops
can find works packed in filled with uniquely Japanese
by Japanese a wooden box. items. The following are all in
artists at Galleria Lacquerware Nakamise-dori at Senso-ji:
Grafica, Gallery plates, trays, Sanbido sells religious statues
Seizan, and Yoseido chopsticks, and bowls and beautiful dolls; Nishijima
Gal lery. Ginza make excellent souvenirs Umbrellas has traditional
Graphic Gallery Ironware kettle, Japan that are light and umbrellas; Tokiwado has been
exhibits both Traditional Crafts Center easy to transport. The selling kaminari okoshi crackers
Japanese and foreign various forms of – famous for crackling like a
works. The Watari-um (Watari Japan’s beautiful paper, washi, clap of thunder when bitten –
Museum of Contem porary Art) also make light weight gifts; for 200 years; Nakatsuka sells
near Harajuku has displays it can be bought as writing candies and sweet crackers.
of architecture, video, and paper or in packs of square Kappabashi-dori (see p88)
film media. In Shinjuku the sheets for origami. is Tokyo’s center for kitchen ware
NTT Intercommunication Maruzen in Nihonbashi is and plastic food.
Center in Tokyo Opera City an excellent source of many
(see p104) features exhibits of these craft items, including
and installations using the ceramics, woodcraft, and
latest technology. In the lacquerware, as is Takumi in
same building is the Tokyo Ginza. Itoya, also in Ginza, is
Opera City Gallery, which packed with crafts, especially
displays Japanese painting, washi; it also has brushes, ink,
watercolors, and examples and inkstones for calligraphy.
of graphic art of all types. Kurodaya, at Senso-ji Temple
Excellent contemporary (see pp90–91), has been selling
prints can be found at the washi for around 180 years and
Tolman Collection near Tokyo stocks everything from modern
Tower. For contemporary stationery to tradi tional kites, plus
ceramics, try Koransha in Ginza. a wide selection of chiyogami
Good sources of modern style wrap ping paper, and
housewares and kitchen traditional masks and clay
gadgets are the department figurines. The Japan Folk
stores Tokyu Hands and Crafts Museum (see p104) has A traditional candy shop in Nakamise-dori,
Matsuya, which is also in Ginza. a small, high-quality selection. Senso-ji Temple

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