Join us for an informal talk event by Matsuno Hiroshi, owner of Matsunoya in the popular Yanaka Ginza shopping lane in Tokyo and wholesaler of aramono, miscellaneous household items. 

Aramono refers to objects such as brooms, dustpans, kitchen utensils and gardening tools, etc. – all essential items for use in everyday life found in most Japanese homes. Since Matsuno Hiroshi became the owner of Matsunoya, his establishment has been recognized as go-to place for miscellaneous household items. What makes Matsunoya special is its business model – by collaborating with local makers, often small family businesses operating from home, Matsunoya offers items made from natural materials with an individual touch, providing sustainable alternatives to those ubiquitous plastic items. 

In this event, Matsuno introduces the variety of household items, their exceptional functionality, clever designs and retro charm. This drop-in style event takes place next to the large wheeled-cart display, which replicates household goods sold by street vendors in Meiji-period (1868-1912) Japan.

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.

Drop-in | Admission Free