Found in Tohoku - Objects shaped by climate, craft, and time

 Exhibition & Special Sale from 2 June (Tue) till 14 June (Sun), 2026

Tohoku, in northern Japan, is known for its long and harsh winters. Heavy snowfall often keeps people indoors for extended periods, shaping a way of life deeply connected to material, craft, and resourcefulness.

Within this environment, techniques such as sashiko stitching developed, and textiles like boro emerged—layered, repaired, and carried through generations. These practices reflect a culture of care, resilience, and adaptation to climate.

During a recent journey in March, MONO JAPAN STORE owner Emiko encountered a collection of objects in Tohoku that embody this relationship between environment and making. Among them are traditional straw raincoats (mino), once used as protection against cold and snow. Each region developed its own variations in structure and pattern, reflecting local conditions and knowledge. Today, only one maker is said to remain, and production largely ceased around the 1960s.

The mino presented in this exhibition dates back to the Taisho period (1912–1926). Its powerful material presence and intricate handwoven structure reveal both functionality and quiet beauty. Today, it can be appreciated as a sculptural object within contemporary living spaces.

Alongside the mino, the exhibition includes clay figures and large lacquered bowls from the Tohoku region. Each object carries traces of the land, climate, and daily life from which it emerged.

Found in Tohoku - Objects shaped by climate, craft, and time
Date: 2 June (Tue) – 14 June (Sun), 2026 (Closed Mondays)
Time: 10:30–18:00 (12:00 on Sunday)
Location: MONO JAPAN STORE (Pannekoekstraat 51A, 3011 LC Rotterdam