Made in Japan, used for real
A small, growing library of the Japanese tools and old preserving know-how I keep in my own home — each one written up honestly, from real use. New pieces are added slowly, as the seasons bring them round.
Ume & Umeboshi 梅仕事
The Japanese plum, the pickled plum, and the syrup and wine I put up each June.
Read the story →
Tetsubin 鉄瓶
The Japanese cast-iron kettle — the water it makes, the iron question, and how to fix rust.
Read the story →
Mashiko ware 益子焼
My local pottery from Tochigi — chosen each year at the pottery fair, and used every day.
Read the story →Kintsugi 金継ぎ
The art of mending broken pottery with gold — explained, with the kits and pieces I’d choose. A guide, not something I own.
Coming soonThis is the full library — every Tools & Wisdom article lives here. The Home page features only a few (ume, tetsubin, Mashiko). Some entries are pieces I live with and photograph myself; others, like Kintsugi, are guides to things I don’t own. Three are written so far — click ume, the tetsubin, or Mashiko ware to read one.