Shopping & Style Made in Osaka

Looking for a cool souvenir?

Forget the tourist tat and seek out these artisanal homeware unique to Osaka.

By Michael Lambe

Temma Kiriko Cut Glass

Temma Kiriko is a traditional style of handcut glass made only in Osaka, characterised by its gentle, rounded patterning. When a drink is poured into a Temma Kiriko glass, the delicate patterns on the base and sides refract the light beautifully in kaleidoscopic patterns.

As they are hand-blown, these glasses are much stronger than factory-made products and so will prove more durable when transported in your luggage. Keeping the tradition alive today is Kiriko Kobo Rau, which operates the Temma Kiriko Gallery store and also runs workshops.

à Temma Kiriko Gallery, Sannakano Bldg 1F, 2-2-19 Temma, Kita (Temmabashi Station). 06 6926 4443. temmakiriko.com. 1pm-7pm, Sat, Sun & hols 11am-7pm, closed Mon.

Osaka Naniwa Suzuki Pewterware

Osaka Naniwa Suzuki is a type of handcrafted pewterware that has been made in Osaka since the 17th century. The pewter used is an alloy of mainly tin with a little silver and copper mixed in to give it some strength and durability. This alloy is then cast in a mould, before being shaped and polished to a distinctive silvery-white sheen. As pewter won’t affect the taste of your drink, it’s often made into cups, flasks and teapots, as well as chopstick rests and vases. à Osaka Suzuki, 6-6-15 Tanabe, Higashisumiyoshi (Imagawa Station). 06 6628 6731. osakasuzuki.co.jp. 9am-5pm, closed Sat, Sun & hols.

Osaka Suzuki is the only company still producing this unique pewterware, and its products are available at the Hankyu department store in Umeda and at the Takashimaya department store in Namba. Otherwise, visit Osaka Suzuki directly for your shopping.

SAKAI KNIVES

With a history dating back 1,600 years, Sakai knives are prized by chefs across Japan for their durability and sharpness. It takes several specialised artisans to make one of these single-edged blades: one to hammer and forge the steel into a rudimentary blade, one to sharpen and polish it, one to make the handle, and another (usually at the retail point) to attach the handle and engrave a name on the blade.

Sakai knives can be found in cutlery stores across Osaka, but to learn more about them, why not take a trip to the source? The Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum is free and has a floor dedicated to the history and production of these knives. The museum’s retail section stocks a remarkable variety of knives, scissors, garden shears and whetstones. à Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum, 1-1-30 Zaimokuchonishi, Sakai (Sakai, Myokokuji-mae stations). 072 227 1001. sakaidensan.jp. 10am-5pm daily, closed 3rd Tue of the month, year-end and New Year hols.