Get to know the story behind household objects for everyday use during these aramono handling sessions with Matsuno Hiroshi.

During each small-group workshop guests can learn about the functionality, materials and makers of a selection of aramono household utensils.

Aramono refers to objects such as brooms, dustpans, and kitchen tools, all items for use in daily life found in most Japanese homes. Aramono items are individual and one-and-only, sometimes rough and imperfect, as they are made of natural materials often by hand or manufactured in one of the small workshops that can be found scattered around Japan.

From handy sake warming cups, useful coleaders to comfortable slippers made of straw and recycled fabric or even bicycle tires, aramono items often do not fail to surprise with their ingenious and sustainable designs. This workshop is a good starting point to learn more about everyday life in Japan through a selection of items, which have been found in people’s homes for decades, or longer.

About the speaker

Matsuno Hiroshi was born in Tokyo in 1953. He is the owner of Matsunoya, a wholesaler and retailer of miscellaneous household items based in Tokyo. After studying bag making at Ichizawa Hanpu in Kyoto from 1977 to 1981, he returned to his place of birth. Influenced by bluegrass music and heavy-duty workwear, he shifted his business focus to everyday items when he took over his family's wholesale bag business. Since then, he has been supplying Japanese households with sustainable items indispensable in daily life. Matsunoya staff travel across Japan to find items lovingly made in small, local factories and farms. The company also produces its own original aramono by working directly with small manufacturers.

Booking Essential | Admission Free