Japanese Kogei: handmade, functional objects from small Japanese workshops, chosen to be used every day.
Kogei (工芸) is the Japanese word for craft: objects made to serve daily life, and believed to grow more beautiful the longer they are used. This collection gathers pieces from makers across Japan, from a Kyoto brush workshop founded in 1615 and an Iwate iron foundry working since 1852 to a Seto ceramics studio whose paper-bag vase is in MoMA’s permanent collection. Every piece here has a maker, a material and a reason to exist. We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and we write every product page with full specifications, care and honest advice on who each piece is not for.
Shop the collection
Tea & table
Decor & textiles
Bags
Calligraphy
Garden & sewing tools
Storage
Trade pricing
Designers, architects and hospitality buyers: apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on these makers and our full catalog, with a dedicated trade support line.
Shipping & returns
In-stock items ship in 2–3 business days; orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final; report damage or a wrong item within 48 hours of delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What does kogei mean?
Kogei is the Japanese word for craft: functional objects made by hand for daily life, valued for becoming more beautiful with use.
Who makes the pieces in this collection?
Small Japanese makers and workshops; each product page names its maker and materials.
How should I care for natural-material crafts like hinoki, vine and cast iron?
Each page gives specific care: in general, keep wood, vine and iron dry, wash by hand where noted, and let natural materials develop patina.
Do these items make good gifts?
Yes. Many come with a story, and several (such as the Umpei Fude brushes) arrive in a gift box.
How fast do Japanese Kogei items ship?
In-stock items ship in 2–3 business days; orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states.
Is trade pricing available?
Yes, through the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for designers, architects and hospitality buyers.
