About Us | Millennium Gallery Japan – Millennium Gallery JP

About Millennium Gallery Japan

Our Mission

Japan is home to 241 traditional crafts that meet five key criteria: daily use, predominantly handmade, utilizing traditional raw materials, all originating from specific regions, and created using traditional techniques with a history of over 100 years. Each of these 241 crafts carries a unique narrative, embodying the spirit, skills, and history of its artisans. However, many of Japan's traditional enterprises operate on a small, family-run scale and have yet to embrace digitalization. This has made it challenging for people worldwide to easily appreciate their beauty and value, and to acquire these works. Millennium Gallery Japan is committed to preserving and perpetuating these traditional skills and Japanese culture. We bring to the world the products and stories born from these traditions.

Hands of a craftsman creating traditional Japanese kumiko, a technique of assembling small wooden pieces into geometric patterns.

Who We Are

Millennium Gallery Japan is operated by a group of passionate Japanese individuals who deeply cherish our culture. Every product we offer is provided by partners ranging from small businesses boasting artisans who have inherited Japanese traditional techniques for decades, if not centuries, to individual craftsmen and artists. Many of our products are handmade by artisans, with production numbers limited to just a few to several dozen pieces per year. However, all are meticulously selected by us and are available in the Millennium Gallery Japan store through direct transactions with each craftsman or company.

Product Selection

In selecting products, we do not merely aim to assemble a collection of beautiful and high-quality items. We delve deeply into the history of the crafts and techniques, the history of the artisans and companies, the materials used and their sustainability, the uniqueness of the techniques, and the manufacturing process. Our partners' workshops are scattered across Japan, but we make a point of visiting each artisan or company directly, building relationships, and ensuring we can provide responsible information.

Bowl repaired with Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese technique that embraces the beauty of imperfection.

Sourcing and Storytelling

Most of our products are handmade in small quantities, and thus we stock only a limited number at a time. Particularly, items like kintsugi bowls or cups are one-of-a-kind, and other products are often produced in small batches, which may require up to a month for delivery. During sourcing, we actively collect stories and profiles related to the artisans of each product, aiming to convey the creators' stories with the information we provide.

Shipping

All purchased products undergo a quality check by us and the business before shipping. Some of our items are made from natural materials like wood, which may change due to variations in air pressure and humidity. In some cases, items may crack during international shipping due to changes in air pressure, but these are phenomena unique to natural materials. Should you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us.