 From snuggly nights in to sparkly nights out, from art lovers to crafters, we've got your unique holiday gifts covered in this Japan-based gift guide. By purchasing from a small business this holiday season, you are supporting individual artists and artisans to continue creating beautiful and meaningful work to put out into the world. And we appreciate you. Small business, big heart. Victoria x FOR ART & INTERIORS LOVERSArt Prints by Erica Ward
Erica Ward is a traditional-media artist and illustrator born in California and residing in Tokyo. As well as selling her original art, Erica creates prints, postcards, stickers and posters from her art work. Her prints make very affordable gifts and fantastic souvenirs of Japan. Prints start at ¥1000. Available online with selected prints and postcard packs at Studio Biku Washi Paper Wall Art by Mapponica
Mapponica was born from a desire to highlight traditional Japanese paper-making processes, which are slowly being lost in Japan. Each mat board is carefully cut into a patchwork-like map pattern, hand-printed and dyed washi is selected which is then painstakingly adhered to the frame. Mapponica works with 100% Japanese products. Prices from ¥12,000. Japan Maps available at Studio Biku and a wider variety of maps online. Daruma by From Juju with Love
From merchandiser at Chanel, Paris to small business owner in Tokyo, Juliette creates one-of-a-kind art pieces with a nod to Japanese pop culture. Her sleeping/ resting Daruma are a fantastic way to bring peace and tranquility to a room, as well as giving you a wonderful talking point. A selection of Daruma and dioramas are available at Studio Biku. 'Plastic Water' Eco-Conscious Art by Melissa Finkenbiner
Melissa Finkenbiner is a cross-disciplined fine artist and metalsmith. Each element of her work is linked by the use of recycled and sustainable materials combined with earthy elements. She creates for eco-conscious art lovers and for people who want to connect to the global cultures and landscapes she has lived in. Plastic Water is made from paper molded in the shape of taiyaki fish. Melissa carved her own mold, used paper from scraps from previous art pieces, and combined them with clear plastic waste she saved over the last year and a half. Melissa wanted to give this one time use plastic a second purpose while also bringing awareness of the shear quantity we consume and leave on this planet. Taiyaki are vailable online with four different colours at Studio Biku. Reclaimed Wood Objects by Turning Tokyo
The call comes in from a friend in the construction business... Friend: Cutting down a tree, do you want some wood? TT: I really don’t have space or time for more wood. Friend: It’s cherry. TT: I’ll be there in 10 mins. This is how the pieces by Matt at Turning Tokyo begin. Everything he creates is made from reclaimed wood from the construction industry, giving the tree a chance at new life. Price start at ¥6000 A selection of pieces are available at Studio Biku. Organic Cotton Tea Towels from Japan Design Collective
Enhance the look of your kitchen with Japanese flair by indulging in one of Japan Design Collective's exquisite tea towels. This newly launched collection is crafted exclusively from 100% organic cotton and other sustainable materials, ensuring ethical production with fair trade practices and fair wages for those involved in the production. Each tea towel is ready to gift in gorgeous packaging, making it an ideal choice for gifting or self-indulgence. Brighten your kitchen with a pop of color and the essence of Japan through these meticulously crafted, eco-friendly kitchen essentials. ¥2000 per towel including the presentation box. Available online and at Studio Biku FOR CRAFT LOVERSEmbroidery Kits from Three Houses Designs
Perfect projects for holiday quiet time or to kick-start your creativity into the new year. Japanese-themed embroidery kits featuring traditional Japanese designs created by Dominique at Three Houses Designs. Each kit contains everything you need to get started with your project (printed cloth design, hoop, needle, floss and a stitching guide and instructions). Kits start at ¥2000 Available online as PDF patterns or in kit form at Studio Biku Kimekomi Kits by Bikudesigns
Kimekomi Bauble Kits come in two different colour-ways with everything included to make two baubles. Also included are the tools you need to make more baubles (craft knife, scissors, craft pick, glue) as well as a detailed instruction sheet. This is a perfect holiday project for your family and friends. ¥4000 per kit. Available at Studio Biku while stocks last. Vintage Paper Collage Cards & Sketchbook Kits by Christina Lopp
Personally collected and curated vintage paper ephemera by Christina Lopp are included in these one-of-a-kind craft kits. For the creatively crafty people in your life, especially the ones with a strong sense of sustainabilty, these card and sketchbook kits make the perfect gift. Christina has also thoughtfully included her favourite pens (mine too!) and her favourite glue sticks in the kits. All you need to do to get creative is open the packet. ¥3000 per kit. Available at Studio Biku Creative Workshop Experience at Studio Biku
In the Autumn season Studio Biku hosted lots of workshops for the very first time:
Sign up here. Book a workshop. FOR SNUGGLY NIGHTS INWoven Shawls by Ito Maki Maki Studio
Ito Maki Maki Studio is a freestyle, fiber arts business located in a small town in Nara, Japan founded by Elizabeth O'Brien. All of their beuatiful pieces are woven in their home studio, and as much as possible, use natural, non-synthetic materials. The core belief of Ito Maki Maki is to embrace imperfections and take things slowly. Often, Elizabeth's two children, who have Down Syndrome, join in the crafting and weaving, in order to equip them with skills and an art expression. Prices start at ¥12,500 Available online at Ito Maki Maki Studio Soy Wax Candles from Hokkaido from North Candles
North Candles was founded in Hokkaido by husband and wife team, Alex and Mami. All candles are hand-poured and use vegan-friendly soy wax. You have to smell these in person to get the full imapact of how accurately the scents have been captured. The coffee candle smells like a high-end coffee roaster and the vanilla, like a custard pudding! Prices start at ¥1500 for small candles. Available online with seasonal selections available at Studio Biku. Patchwork Kimono Cushion Covers by Tabi Tabi Ya
Get your living space ready for the winter by adding a touch of colour and texture to a favourite snuggly reading chair or your sofa. Patricia from Tabi Tabi Ya creates beautiful pieces from personally-sourced vintage kimono, combining different textiles in patchwork. Each piece is a work of art. Prices start at ¥5800. Available online and a small selection at Studio Biku. Kumiko Lamp by Night Owl Creative
When the nights draw in, pop on a beautiful Kumiko lamp creating a beautiful glow through the authentic Japanese washi paper. Daniel creates each piece by painstakingly cutting wood strips and assembling them in an intricate traditional pattern. Pieces start at ¥10,000 with a small selection available at Studio Biku. FOR LOOKING & FEELING GREAT Neckpieces by Bikudesigns
Blending the old and the new in this fun collection, modern acrylic chain and vintage kimono . Perfect for people with metal allergies and for the colour lovers in your life. Ultra-light with absolutely no fiddly fasteners make these the perfect 'pop-on' for those jeans and tee days or when popping out for lunch or coffee. Each neckpiece arrives boxed in a branded Bikudesigns box and is completely one-of-a-kind. Prices start at ¥4000. Available online and at Studio Biku. Vintage Obi Phone Bags from Mikan Bags in Kyoto
Perfect for day-to-day phone and wallet storage but also ideal for travelling (these fit a passport perfectly!) Made from authentic vintage obi, personally selected by Clementine, and created into a useful bag with a fully modern twist, incorporating a mesh backing and an adjustable cord strap. Priced at ¥11,800 with a small selection available at Studio Biku. FOR ORGANISERSLimited Edition Desk Calendar from Nozo Kat
After 8 years in Tokyo, Nozomi returned to her hometown of Fukuoka in March 2020. She had lost her job in Tokyo due to COVID-19, and it was a challenging time for her, as she had really come to enjoy her work as an inhouse hospitality trainer and English instructor at one of Tokyo’s most prestigious sukiyaki restaurants. Although she didn’t know it at the time, going back to Fukuoka would be the chance she needed to take a step back from fast-paced city life and reconnect with herself as an artist. It all started with curiosity, picking up her brush one day and making the choice to create a piece of art, then learning one new little thing at a time-- a new medium, a new technique, and then one day getting her first commission, and then hosting her first exhibit in October 2021. Living in coastal Itoshima on the western edge of Fukuoka, Nozomi is surrounded by beautiful mountains and a majestic sea. She is especially drawn to vibrant skies, sunsets, seascapes, and landscapes "I hope that when you look at my art, it will give you energy and a sense of calm, taking you away to beautiful memories." Nozo Kat Priced at ¥4000. Available online and a very limited number at Studio Biku Kimono Zipper Pouches from Tabi Tabi Ya
A perfect way to organise your personal ephemera in your tote bag. One for your makeup, one for personal items (think painkillers, Band Aids, lip balm, hand sanitiser), one for life admin (bank books, credit cards, bills). Beautifully made, gorgeously vibrant and all one-of-a-kind made from vintage kimono and all lined with contrasting fabric. Prices start at ¥4500. This collection is available exclusively at Studio Biku Upcycled Zipper Pouches by Chou Chou San
Japan is known for its speciality Kitkats in a host of flavours, many of which are seasonal. How about matcha, match latte, chocolate orange or cheese cake? Melon, sweet potato, strawberry, mint, sake, soy sauce or sakura? Or even the grillable, Caramel Pudding?! The packaging in Japan is on another level, but is also over-plentiful (something many peiple despair of). Enter Julie from Chou Chou San who is solving packaging waste one pouch at a time. Choose your favouraite chocolate memory, cookies or even dog and cat treats- she covers all bases.Sustainability can be fun! Prices start at ¥1700 (small). Available online and at Studio Biku ABOUT STUDIO BIKU
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 Two kimono remake brands come together to present unique items for your home or to accessorise your wardrobe. Come along and shop antique and vintage obi cushion covers and table runners, hair accessories and jewellery. "BARRIQUE TOKYO, gives new value to Kimono by turning them into modern fabrics. We are taking on the challenge of bringing the beauty and skill of traditional Japanese craftsmanship to people overseas." "Victoria Close is a British designer living and working in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. She is passionate about the concept of ʻmottainaiʼ and is on a mission to rescue vintage Japanese textiles from the landfill one kimono at a time." 英国人と日本人、独自の感性を持ったアーティスト２名がそれぞれ日本の古い着物や帯をさまざまな作品にリメイクしました。この機会にぜひ作品を手に取ってご覧ください。 日時：3/31(金) 12:00-19:00、4/1 (土) 10:00-18:00 ■BARRIQUE TOKYO■ 私たちBARRIQUE TOKYOは、着物に新たな価値を与えてモダンファブリックに再生することで、日本の伝統工芸の美しさや巧みな技を海外の方々に届けるチャレンジをしています。 ■Bikudesigns■ ヴィクトリア・クロースは、東京の下北沢を拠点に活動する英国人デザイナーです。日本の「もったいない」という概念に敬意を表し、着物のヴィンテージ生地に新たな命を吹き込むことを使命に活動しています。  YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...
  katieSOcrafty specializes in custom sewn accessories made from kawaii Japanese prints and upcycled kimonos.
 Hi I'm Victoria, the face behind the vintage kimono jewellery and accessories brand Bikudesigns. I'm the organiser of the Biku & Co. Pop-up, a place for international makers/ artists to show their work in a small pop-up gallery space in Shimokitazawa. Tokyo. I'm passionate about craft and even more passionate about supporting creatives in setting up and scaling their small businesses. The concept of this pop-up arose from my own need for spaces to show and sell my work as an international designer in Japan. If you can't find it, build it yourself! 
WEBSITE: bikudesigns.com FACEBOOK: @bikudesigns INSTAGRAM: @bikudesigns Victoria’s one-of-a-kind vintage kimono jewellery and accessories will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 Christina Lopp is an artist, designer and teacher. Growing up in the Santa Cruz Mountains of central California, USA, nestled between beachy Santa Cruz and techy Silicon Valley, she has always had her feet in (at least) two worlds. Christina moved to Tokyo with her two kids and husband the summer of 2017 and delights every day in the beautifully considered aesthetics, motifs and visual style in many traditional Japanese art forms. She has filled more than 25 watercolor journals with visual vignettes and stories of in her time living in Tokyo. As a lifelong learner, and to learn more about the Japanese culture, Christina is also currently studying Japanese shodo, sumi-e, and mokuhanga — which helps her understand more about how art is made in Japan. Christina has recently starting teaching art classes again after a long hiatus. She enjoys trips around Japan learning as much as she can about the culture, the arts, the food and the onsens (hot springs) of this beautiful country. She and her husband Andy have two children who attend middle and high school at The American School in Japan. And she still feels like she has her feet in (at least!) two worlds.
 WEBSITE: christinalopp.com INSTAGRAM: @tchristina.lopp.art Christina’s sketchbooks and original art pieces will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 WHO WE ARE Rachel Ferguson, author Rachel is a Scottish writer who has lived in Tokyo since 2005. Other activities include the development of community spaces including shared apartments, offices and an English preschool. She is currently in the joyful throes of raising two preschoolers. POMPETTE, illustration and design Pompette is a Japanese illustrator-designer duo bringing ideas and brands to life through illustration, design, storytelling, and content creation. Hiroko, born and raised in Hiroshima, studied design in Kyoto. She was a web director in Kyoto before she became a freelance illustrator. Yuko, born in Japan and raised in San Francisco, studied architecture in Kyoto then worked in graphic design and marketing in New York. She lived in a small village in France before she came back to Japan and teamed up with Hiroko to start Pompette. A goodnight book for a good night. My two-year-old daughter did not like going to bed. I tried everything I could think of to lure/lull/bribe her to sleep. Nothing worked. I was tired. It was past my bedtime by the time she slept. So, I tested many of the top-rated bedtime books. Most were fun or cute - or both - but they didn't help Grace fall asleep. Then I found a couple that, read multiple times in a soothing tone, relaxed her so much that eventually her little eyelids drooped and she nodded off peacefully. Hallelujah! I was so inspired by the power of these sacred texts that I decided to take the best elements of each and create my own story. The magic ingredient is an audio file: after you read to your little one, the story can be played on repeat while they drift off to sleep- leaving you with a little magic time to yourself 
"Gugu and Penfin Sleep” is a beautiful bedtime experience, the result of my search for the perfect goodnight book: Soft, soothing sounds Repetition Rhyme Comforting imagery Charming illustrations with subtle humour White space to calm the mind and allow little imaginations to blossom A spoken-word lullaby to play while your little one drifts off to sleep Gugu and Penfin is for: Children who want a simple, delightful bedtime story Parents & caregivers who love reading their kids a story ONE time (and are happy to let a soothing audio track do the rest) People who would like to introduce English to their kids in a natural, easy, and enjoyable way. Snuggled up in bed, Gugu and her plush toy, Penfin, explore outer space, ocean depths, treetops, and giant flowers before imagining their loved ones gathered together to wish them off to a peaceful sleep. Lovable characters, the theme of connection and a soothing audio accompaniment make the book universally comforting. This article in The Weekender nicely summaries the journey to our creating the book https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2021/08/gugu-and-penfin-sleep/  WEBSITE: guguandpenfin.com INSTAGRAM: @guguandpenfin Rachel’s beautiful picture book will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022. Find out more about our pop-up members here.
  "Hi! I'm Vicky Kobayashi! Ice Flower Crochet is where I showcase my handcrafted crochet items for the home. I'm originally from England, and have lived in Hokkaido, Japan for over thirty years. I love colour and texture, and bring that brightness and fun into my creations, such as blankets, washcloths and face scrubbies, amigurumi, hair accessories, hats and scarves. For this event, I've created a garden of pumpkins, some realistic and some wild and magical! I hope you'll enjoy my interpretation of the season, and that my pumpkins will enhance your home decor."
FACEBOOK: @iceflowercrochet INSTAGRAM: @iceflowercrochet Vicky’s fantastic pumpkins will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 "From Juju With Love is the result of my moving to Tokyo and my former job as a visual merchandiser at Chanel when I was in Paris. This project is a mix of all I like: Search for objects and enhance them, create, put them together, match the colors, have fun, be amazed and travel. These wooden boxes are meant to embellish your everyday life. Easy to hang thanks to their lightness and to their adhesive back, they will find their new home very easily in your rooms or kid’s room, your kitchen or your living room ! I also customize Daruma and take pictures of my characters throughout Japan!" 
FACEBOOK: @FromJujuWithLove INSTAGRAM: @fromjujuwithlove Juliette’s pop culture dioramas and decoupage Daruma will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 Off on a Whim is the creative work of Erinn LaMattery who began her small business in 2011 as way to support her family doing something she loved. Originally from California, she settled in Japan in her youth and it is now where she calls home. Off on a Whim’s motto comes from the philosopher Rumi: "Let the beauty you love be what you do.” Natural stones and real materials are the base of her work, born out of a long love affair with the beautiful nature of stones and their strong connection to the world around. There is (almost) no stone she doesn’t love and it’s very hard to walk out of a stone shop without adding something new to her collection. Her work is also very customer-led. From the beginning of Off on a Whim she worked closely with customers to design and build their dream pieces. 90% of the pieces at offonawhim.com began as a custom request and evolved into a final product. Communicating, designing, tweaking and completing a custom project brings so much satisfaction that every project is her new favorite. She is 100% self-taught through online tutorials, YouTube, asking other jewelry artists and the good old ’try and see and try again!’ method. Maybe not the fastest way to learn a craft, it is definitely a rewarding way, that moment when it all comes together and looks just how it was imagined. With 4 kids and 5 grand-kittens, life keeps her busy and every time she’s asked ‘what do you do in your free time?’ her response is ‘What is free time??’ But if she had more free time it would be spent baking, traveling, and studying programming.
WEBSITE: offonawhim.com FACEBOOK: @offonawhim INSTAGRAM: @offonawhim Erinn’s beautiful jewellery will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022 just in time for some holiday shopping.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 The northern environment of Hokkaido, as well as Canada, inspire our candles in both our botanical candles where Mami draws inspiration on our nature walks for the flowers she uses in our botanical candles. We also try to use essential oils blended together that reproduce the scents we are familiar with in Hokkaido, using essential oils such as cypress, pine, cedarwood, fir tree, etc. We like to think that using essential oils from natural trees is a sort of shinrin-yoku like experience.  When we first started our business we knew that we wanted to be an environmentally friendly and vegan business. We care deeply about our impact on the environment, and want to contribute to more sustainable business practices. We are also vegan and wanted to make sure our business lines up with these values. It's very important to us that we use entirely plastic-free packaging as well as soy wax. When we first started our business, soy candles were less popular in Japan as well as plastic-free packaging. We hope that we can introduce our customers to small steps towards environmentally friendly practices while also enjoying a product of high quality. We also sell various candles including wooden wick candles, candles with refillable jars where you don't need to use a new jar and can opt to buy a wax only refill candle on our website. Lastly we sell many seasonal scents that are only available for set periods of time during specific times of the year. At this pop up event, we will be selling our seasonal Pumpkin Spice Candles as well!
Soy wax is very important to us as we wanted to use a wax that was both more environmentally friendly, as well as a natural/clean burning wax compared to the traditional paraffin (petroleum-based) candles popular in Japan. Although there are other waxes like Beeswax that are natural and clean burning, since we are both vegan the best option for us was soy wax. We feel that soy wax is the perfect candle wax for making clean, safe and natural products that are low impact on the environment and 100% vegan. Additionally, soy wax burns at a lower temperature than other candle waxes meaning you can use it for a longer period of time compared to similar-sized candles of other types of waxes. Mami and Alex met in BC, Canada in 2016 while Alex was hitch hiking across Canada and Mami was backpacking on a working holiday visa. The two travelled around Canada and then Japan together for a time before Alex eventually moved to Japan in 2017. After getting married and while living in Tokyo, Mami started making candles and studying at various schools across the city leading up to our wedding. Mami made all of the candles for our wedding and gave them out as thank you gifts to our guests, which resulted in overwhelming support to start selling these candles. In December of 2018 North Candles was formed. We started by selling at markets across Tokyo before eventually moving back to Canada to sell candles there, and then one more final move back to Hokkaido to Mami's hometown in Tokachi where we opened our store in June 2022.  WEBSITE: @northcandlesjp FACEBOOK: @northcandlesjp INSTAGRAM: @north_candles Alex and Mami’s beautiful candles will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022, just in time for Pumpkin Spice season. Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 Erica Ward is a California-born, Tokyo-based watercolor artist. She takes inspiration from Japanese design and often uses Japanese motifs in her work. By arranging everyday sights and objects in surreal ways within her artworks, Ward asks the viewer to consider the mundane daily objects in their surroundings as things of beauty and symbols of culture. エリカ・ワードはカリフォルニア生まれ、東京在住の水彩アーティスト。日本のデザインや「和」にインスピレーションを感じ、作品のモチーフとしてよく用いる。作品の中で日常的な物をシュールに合わせることで、身の回りにある物が美しいもの、そして文化的なシンボルであるのではないかと見る者に問いかける。  WEBSITE: ericawardart.comericawardart.com/ FACEBOOK: @ericawardart INSTAGRAM: @erica.ward.illustration Erica's stunning work will be popping up in the form of original pieces as well as prints, postcards and stickers at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.   Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 I'm Dominique from Three Houses Designs. The name of my business is derived from the kanji of my married name (三宅, 三 means "three" and 宅 means "house"). I'm originally from Nova Scotia, Canada but I have been living in Japan since 2004. In Japan I've lived in Tokushima, Chiba, Tokyo, and I now call Hiroshima home with my husband and three young children. I learned hand embroidery from my mother when I was a child and I came back to it when my youngest was a baby. I put together my hobby of graphic design with my love for hand embroidery and started designing modern hand embroidery patterns and kits. Many of my designs combine traditional wagara patterns and Japanese motifs. I hope you enjoy stitching them as much as I enjoy designing them.
 WEBSITE: threehousesdesigns.com FACEBOOK: @ThreeHousesDesigns INSTAGRAM: @threehousesdesigns Dominique’s embroidery kits will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022.  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 "Hi, I'm Patricia, the one and only face behind Tabitabiya, a small shop madly in love with the timeless beauty of Japanese traditional motifs.
I've been living in Tokyo for over 20 years and became fascinated by all these wonderful things Japanese people have been making throughout the centuries recycling old kimono and obi sashes that could no longer be worn.I decided to follow in their footsteps, and I now create my own designs upcycling vintage kimono or obi sashes. I love giving a new life to these magnificent old fabrics nobody wants anymore. I hope you too will feel inspired by their breathtaking elegance."  WEBSITE: tabitabiya.com FACEBOOK: @shoptabitabiya INSTAGRAM: @tabitabi.ya Patricia's beautiful cushions will be popping up at the Biku & Co. pop-up 5-10th October 2022!  Find out more about our pop-up members here.
 Welcome to the Biku & Co. Pop-up Shop. I'll be popping up with my vintage kimono creations with 11 other makers from the length and breadth of Japan in a little pop-up gallery space in the heart of Shimokitazawa. I've got some amazing artists and makers on board, some who you may not be familiar with. I'll be introducing them over the next few days and showcasing their products right here on the blog. I'm so passionate about handmade businesses and thought this would be a fabulous way to celebrate the diverse talents of international creatives in Japan. I've been looking for an opportunity like this for myself for years and couldn't find it anywhere. So, why not just build it myself?! I'll be in the store every day from 5-10th October, with a workshop or two thrown in for good measure. Up-to-the-minute developments will be reported in the Facebook event where you can also find the map to the event, pop-up opening times, maker interviews and product unboxings! I just can't wait to show you what I have lined up and welcome you into the shop to get a head start on your holiday shopping. Victoria x  Find out more about the makers/ artists here.
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