The signature wares of Tokyo’s heritage businesses are made to be memorable. Based across the city, these five brands typify this approach: by taking pride in the pursuit of enduring quality, they create items that are destined to make charming gifts.

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Working with cotton for more than a century, Mori Seimenjo is renowned for processing raw cotton and producing high-quality zabuton cushions and futons. At the company’s headquarters near Kiba Park, tamawata cotton sheets are made to order in the factory, while a large tatami-floored room is dedicated to making items for temples, entertainment venues and domestic use.

Fourth-generation craftsman Kazuta Mori watches the artisans carefully layer and shape the wadding by hand to create the perfect form. “Our cushions are quite soft, but take a closer look and you’ll see how much effort goes into making sure the corners are properly formed,” he says. “The fabric is a yarn-dyed Jacquard weave that takes a long time to produce, making it a good match for our products.”

Mori Seimenjo partnered with Hirose Dyeworks to create a zabuton with a similar structure to those used by sumo wrestlers at Ryogoku Kokugikan. With a stencil-dyed Edo Komon pattern and ample cushioning, it also pays tribute to Tokyo’s rich traditions and culture.

Mori Seimenjo’s zabuton covers feature materials such as cork leather and Enshu Tsumugi textiles.

Established: 1917
Products: Cushions, futons and pillows
moriseimenjo.com

During the early 20th century, Domyo’s sixth-generation owner made a defining move. Amid the widespread mechanisation of crafts, he pledged to protect the handiwork of his master artisans. To this day, the company’s kumihimo (braided cords) are dyed and made entirely by hand. “Working in this way makes it possible to produce difficult and complicated braids,” says Kiichiro Domyo, the tenth head of the family business. “When it comes to both beauty and function, handmade kumihimo are much higher in quality.”

Established in 1652, Domyo has long specialised in kumihimo, a traditional craft that has evolved since its arrival from continental Asia in the mid-sixth century. A recent line of products has been developed to extend the techniques and craftsmanship of kumihimo beyond the world of traditional Japanese attire. Made with 100 per cent Japanese silk, the items include belts, ties and nara-gumi bracelets made with a classic braid from the eighth-century Nara period.

Produced by a dedicated group of 100 artisans, each item reflects the character of its creator. “The braids of a serious artisan will be firm, while someone more easygoing will create a more relaxed braid,” says Domyo. “It’s exciting to feel that human-like quality.”

Domyo has adapted traditional handmade kumihimo techniques to items such as belts and ties.

Established: 1652
Products: Braided cords, belts, ties and bracelets
domyo.co.jp

Building on his family’s glass-processing factory, Takayuki Shiina established Glass Lab in 2014. The company developed an innovative process known as suna kiriko, which combines traditional Edo kiriko glass-cutting techniques with intricate sandblasting. The result is drinkware with a kaleidoscope-like charm. “Colour, cutting angle, pattern and image,” says Shiina. “Beauty comes from successfully multiplying all these factors.”

The two-tone glass emphasises the intricacies of seasonal motifs that include fireworks and Japanese maple leaves. Other designs reference classic ukiyo-e prints with fresh perspective. Production takes place in Glass Lab’s Kiyosumi Shirakawa workshop, where Takayuki’s family pool their skills. Sandblasting is completed by his brother Yasuyuki, while his 72-year-old father Yasuo is a master of hira-kiriko faceting. “Rather than deep hues, which distort the colour of the drink, we believe pastels are more beautiful,” he says.

Established: 2014
Product: Sandblasted Edo kiriko glassware
glass-labo.com

Situated on the edge of the mountains west of Tokyo, Ome has a rich history of textile manufacturing. The area gained further prominence for its Omejima fabrics, woven with indigo-dyed cotton and silk. By the late 19th century, however, production had largely disappeared.

Seeking to recreate these fabrics with traditional techniques, Kosoen was established by Murata Dyeing Industry for natural indigo and plant-based dyeing. Utilising sukumo (fermented indigo leaves) sourced from Tokushima prefecture, the workshop uses a chemical-free process that originated during the Edo period, considered the golden age of Japanese indigo.

Hironori Kamei was drawn to the craft after visiting Tokushima’s renowned indigo farmers. “Our colours have to be beautiful so I’m always focused on completing each step with the utmost care,” he says. Kosoen’s growing lineup of indigo wares range from T-shirts made in Tokyo’s Koto ward to cotton stoles woven in Kiryu, each in its own gentle shade of blue. “Our focus is to work solely with natural materials and processes, which in itself has value in today’s society,” says 34-year-old president Toshiyuki Murata.

Established: 1919
Product: Natural indigo-dyed fabrics
kosoen.com

From the chrysanthemum seat to the dew edges, every part of a Komiya Shoten umbrella tells a story. These charming names capture the meticulous detail that goes into their production, completed by a small group of specialists each making only a handful items daily. “The manufacturing methods have been almost unchanged since the late 19th century,” says third-generation president Hiroyuki Komiya. “Our artisans are incredibly strict and there’s a lot of hidden ingenuity, such as hand-sewing.”

Based in Higashi Nihonbashi, an area once home to numerous umbrella merchants and makers, Komiya Shoten takes pride in its heritage. The company continues to do a brisk trade in high-quality umbrellas and parasols such as the Tachibana, which has been a mainstay of the lineup. The Kasane women’s umbrella is a beautiful alternative with 16 carbon ribs, while other models incorporate traditional patterns, bringing a burst of colour to rainy days.

The Tachibana features double-layered koshu textiles made in Yamanashi prefecture. When opened, the near-spherical form creates an air of elegance, while UV protection allows it to double as a parasol.

Established: 1930
Products: Handmade umbrellas and parasols
komiyakasa.jp