What is SHIBUI? In Japan, people think of beauty in levels—from blatant, brash, and bold to the ideal of beauty: Shibui. “Shibui” means the type of beauty that doesn’t need announcement; its quality speaks for itself. It involves the maturity, complexity, history, and patina that only time can bring—like a fine vintage wine.

Our specialty at Shibui is the collection and restoration of tansu, a term given to the antique cabinetry of Japan made principally between 1860 and 1910, the bulk of the Meiji period.

A curated selection of Japanese antiques and vintage items. Japanese furniture - tansu, Japanese textiles, Japanese Folk Arts, Japanese ceramics, Japanese tea ceramics, Japanese woodblock prints, Japanese photography, Japanese kimono, modern Japanese home goods

Pottery has played a tremendous role in Japanese history— Here at SHIBUI, we try to show our appreciation for its significance by offering a large selection of fine works from the famous kilns of Japan.

If a color scheme is to be shibui, the large areas should be dark, rich, and unobtrusive, but with a touch of sharp, astringent color to add interest. Shibui is the essence of controlled understatement, and requires an attitude of modesty and humility.

A persimmon juice treated paper stencil is carved with knives or punches to create a pattern which is used alone or in conjunction with other stencils to create a pattern either by using a resist and later dying or through direct dying with a tinted paste. This technique was used with fine silk kimono and with county cotton bedding.

Shop our large collection of Japanese antique kimono and other vintage clothing! Find a kimono for any occasion. Made in Japan, shipped from the USA! Global Shipping Available.

Katagami are hand cut paper stencils used to either resist dye or direct dye textiles, paper and other materials The paper is treated with persimmon juice and sometimes lacquer to make it water resistant to hold up to repeated uses of dye and other pastes.

Our specialty at Shibui is the collection and restoration of tansu, a term given to the antique cabinetry of Japan made principally between...

Throughout history, bulk products have always needed storage. Because of their strength and long lasting characteristics ceramics have always been a favored material.