Volume Three celebrates Japan's enduring relationship with cedar. Known as 

 in Japanese, the tall branches of these sacred trees – a symbol of Shintoism – have long been intertwined with the spiritual culture of the country, believed to provide a means for 

In this issue we reflect upon on how Japan’s perception of cedar has evolved and changed from ancient appreciations to its view as somewhat of a modern day menace. We contemplate how we may effectively use cedar to become more sustainably attuned with Japan’s forested places and we visit creatives and designers whose visions are inspiring positive change and producing exquisite products along the way.

Volume Three is a celebration of artisanship and traditions and an embrace of contemporary cedar within our everyday life. Head to our online store to pre-order Volume Three now. 

Order Volume Three Now

INSIDE VOLUME 3

The city of Matsumoto sits amidst grand, sprawling views of the Japanese Alps. A treat to look upon, especially in the wintertime, when snow-capped mountains greet the eye each morning. 

MATSUMOTO JUJO

Considered living in Karatsu, Kyushu, a place to see and feel a side of Japan that is often overlooked. Here is an excerpt from our chat with writer and photographer Prairie Stuart-Wolff about seasonal eating, cultural identity, and seeking sustainability. The full interview will be featured in STORIED print issue two; Islands.

Japan's Culinary Culture: A Dialogue with Prairie Stuart-Wolff

For years the popular Western imagination has been drawn to the infinite wisdom that Zen Buddhism professedly bestows upon the world. We've become entranced by meditative practices and followed gurus, yogis, and even TED-talking monks as they take us on a journey to look inside ourselves, bypassing irrelevant intellect and logic in an attempt to understand the meaning of life. 

D. T. Suzuki Museum

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Kurashiki is a quaint town where traditional houses have become home to innovative businesses  thanks to an influx of creatives from the vibrant city of Okayama, only a 20 minute train ride away. Lesser-known than Kyoto, but no less beautiful, Kurashiki has been drawing local tourists to its aesthetically-pleasing townscape for a number of years. 

Toutou Kurashiki, Gallery and Stay

Japan’s love of tea dates back over 1200 years, when it is thought that the monk Saicho brought the first seeds to Kyoto from China at the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-906). To this day, Kyoto, the spiritual heart of the Japanese tea ceremony, remains famous as one of the country’s finest tea-producing regions. 

The Single Origin Teas Redefining Wazuka's Heritage

In our modern world of consumerism, where trends move at a breakneck speed and are gone again before there is even a chance to discern their particulars, a traditional Japanese method of repair is gradually regaining ground as a way to slow down, appreciate the value of what you have and hold on to what’s important. Kintsugi is the repair of broken ceramics (amongst other things) with lacquer and decoration with gold powder, and a practice that is once again becoming popular in a world where people are seeking to shed meaningless trend addictions for a more conscientious way of living.