About Japan Essence

About Japan Essence

Japan Essence grew out of a simple observation: good things accompany us quietly and reliably through everyday life. They don’t need to prove anything. They work, feel right, and become even more familiar over time.

My starting point was a tenugui. Bought in Japan, used at home every day, in the kitchen, during sports, on the go, and as decoration. A cotton cloth, light and durable, with a pattern that isn’t loud, yet still has character.

I founded Japan Essence because I believe in the quality of Japanese everyday culture. Behind many products are workshops where knowledge has been passed down for decades. Material, technique, drying time, colorfastness, and hands that know exactly what they’re doing all matter. You can feel that mindset in the result.

Everything you find here is made in Japan. I work with makers who produce carefully and take their origins seriously. Right now, the focus is on tenugui. Step by step, tea ware, ceramics, and paper will follow, but only when they meet our standards for materials, craftsmanship, and real-world usability.

What matters to me

• Honest craftsmanship: Time-tested techniques with history, such as traditional printing and dyeing methods that create long-lasting colors.
• Form follows function: Beautiful things should do work. A product has to hold up in everyday life, not just look good on a shelf.
• Less, but better: A small, clear selection beats lots of items you forget quickly.
• Transparency: Origin, materials, and care are described openly, so you can enjoy them for a long time.

Japan Essence is meant to be a place for people who want to understand how things are made. For anyone who sees design and purpose as one, and would rather own something that gains meaning over time.

If that speaks to you, I’m glad you’re here. Feel free to write to me if you have questions or if you’re looking for a product that’s still missing. This shop grows with you.

Johannes Kuschnigg
Founder of Japan Essence