Dezeen Magazine

Sikigu at Showcase: Japan
Exhibitors will include "paper tool" brand Sikigu

Shoppe On to showcase 25 Japanese design brands on its virtual marketplace

Dezeen promotion: the second edition of virtual homeware fair Shoppe On will see the return of Showcase: Japan, spotlighting talented design and crafts brands from across the country.

Shoppe Object – the New York design fair behind Shoppe On – is teaming up with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to host Showcase: Japan, which will feature a mix of 25 established and up-and-coming brands.

Among them will be 88-year-old glassware company SGHR Sugahara, artisanal candle-maker Takazawa Candle, kitchen utensils brand Conte, metal-casting specialist Nousaku and LED lighting brand YSM Products.

SGHR Sugahara at Showcase: Japan
SGHR Sugahara will present glassware, including its popular black frosted glass

The theme of this year's event is Design and Discovery. Following the success of the previous show, it is expected to be one the highlights of this year's Shoppe On.

Each of the 25 brands will feature in a live virtual show that will be broadcast as part of the event, which takes place from 8 to 10 February 2021.

The products will then be listed on the Shoppe On virtual marketplace until 6 August 2021.

Place at Showcase: Japan
Pleco will present its eco-friendly pleated bags for Showcase Japan

Among the highlights will be Osaka-based "paper tool" brand Sikigu, which uses paper to create a range of sustainable stationery and homeware products, including folded two-tone trays, storage boxes and notebooks.

Fukui-based Pleco will present its eco-friendly pleated bags, while Hokkaido-based Plywood Laboratory will show how it uses recycled paper to inject colour into wooden furniture and objects.

Plywood Laboratory at Showcase: Japan
Plywood Laboratory will show objects made using its innovative Paper Wood material

Textiles brands involved will include Kamawanu, known for its patterned cloths, and Takarajima Senkou, which uses natural dyes to create distinctive tones and textures.

Seventy-year-old brand Takada Tawashi will show its tawashi cleaning brushes, handcrafted using materials harvested from trees in Wakayama Prefecture, while Shaquda will present its ethically made cosmetics brushes.

Takarajima Senkou at Showcase: Japan
Takarajima Senkou uses natural dyes to create fabrics with striking patterns

The list of Showcase: Japan exhibitors is completed by Kimoto Glass Tokyo, Check & Stripe, Style of Japan, PCNQ, Sutta, Boketto, Nawrap, Clappin Jam, Toyo, Tokyo Kodo, Saralam, Nishiguchi and Tsunoda Seibee Shoten.


Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for JETRO as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

More images

Showcase: Japan
YSM Products
Showcase: Japan
Shaquda
Showcase: Japan
Kamawanu
Showcase: Japan
Conte
Showcase: Japan
Kimoto Glass Tokyo
Showcase: Japan
Nousaku
Showcase: Japan
Takazawa Candle
Showcase: Japan
Takada