Kwan Yin (known in China as Guanyin) is a well-known character in Buddhism and is considered a bodhisattva, which is an enlightened being. In more recent Chinese mythology she is also seen as a goddess of compassion and mercy. Originally depicted, long ago, as a male figure, the gender of the Buddhist character changed over time and now most frequently resembles a female seated in a meditative position. In the image on the shoji screen, Kwan Yin is holding a lotus flower although in other representations she if often seen with a water bowl or fish basket in her hands.

Knowledge of Guanyin also reached the shores of Japan, as did Buddhism as a whole, via Korea. It is thus not such a surprise to see a Japanese item of furniture decorated with a Chinese theme. To this day, Kwan Yin is highly regarded and much loved across China and she is seen as a goddess of unconditional love, compassion and mercy.

Made from matchstick bamboo, the pictured shoji screen (which were traditionally used as partitions in classical Japanese homes), will create an interesting and attractive feature in a living room or bedroom setting. It can be used to hide more unsightly areas of an interior or be used to dress behind in a shared bedroom. In a room where guests congregate, the Guanyin screen will likely inspire conversations and discussions about philosophy, history and travels.

You can read more about it below.

Kwan Yin Shoji Screen – $149.00
Retail Price: $159.00
You Save: $10.00
from: Oriental-Decor New York,LLC

The Samurai were a military nobility class of pre-industrial Japan. Their belief that the way of the warrior was the most honourable course forged their path and destiny, and indeed that of Japan as a whole. Nowadays, the classical Samurai is iconic and famous across the world. Numerous movies (my personal favourite being “Shichinin no Samurai” made in 1954) and art works have portrayed a romanticised image of the noble warriors and their ethical code (Bushido) together with their weaponry (most notably the sword) and body armour.

The beginnings of the Samurai can be found in early poems from the 10th Century. The end of the Samurai class came to a final conclusion upon the drafting of new laws soon after World War 2. Even though the Samurai way of life is now extinct, the intense interest in the history, culture and artefacts related to this old warrior class has not diminished. In the Western World especially, decorative objects, sculptures and art works portraying the Samurai way of life are very popular. This stoic looking Japanese Samurai who is holding two swords, perhaps readying himself for combat, is perfect for someone with a fascination for this era in Japanese history. It will look great on a table, shelf or cabinet from where it will produce an eye-catching effect when friends and guests enter the room.

You can buy this sculpture from here: Stoic Japanese Samurai Statue.

Height: 12 inches.

The philosophy behind this eye-catching Merry-Go-Round Clock is the passage of time and how memory keeps the happiness of a moment clear but maybe not so much the details of the particular occasion. As the passage of time passes, details fade but the general memory of the emotions connected to loves, attachments and experiences will remain forever. This is highlighted best when it comes to the family.

The fairground themed clock portrays the bond of a family, in that children are soon seen as the center and life of the household. The mother always remains close to the child whilst the father is the guardian of the family and continues a steady and protective watch over both mother and child. Children look back when they become adults to their childhood days and whilst details might be foggy, the love and bond they had with their parents remains clear and fresh. This is the symbolism of this highly ornate clock.

The Merry-Go-Round clock has a beautifully decorated design and has borrowed influences from classical Roman architecture as well as the 19th Century amusement park style. On each of the Roman columns is an even number between 0 and 12. As the designers state, the number 6 is best placed where the viewer is to see the clock from the most and this will aid in quick and easy identification of the time. Whilst this clock is going to take a few more seconds than usual to figure out the time, its sculptural genius and inherent philosophical depth make it an excellent decorative addition to any home interior décor scheme and household.

You can buy it from here: Ornate Sculptural Merry-Go-Round Clock.

Handmade.

The Japanese-made storage cabinet is just like any regular cabinet you already have in your kitchen. However, it is fitted with detachable planters that can be moved from one location to another, when needed. Any herb you can imagine can be grown in these planters and cultivated until ready to be used in a delicious meal.

Above the planters are red/blue LEDs which aid in the growth of the herbs indoors by stimulating photosynthesis. In addition, the red light element leads to the herbs containing nine times the amount of Vitamin C as would normally be the case. The minimal release of ultra-violet, heat and light means it’s very energy efficient.

You can read more about it here: Original House Storage Planter.

H/T: Trendir.

The bench seems to be floating in mid-air by a collection of red balloons which if not for the ceiling would likely float up into the skies. In fact, the balloon bunches conceal four anchors which hold the bench in position as though truly floating. It’s not just some creative installation piece either and can actually be acquired via a Tokyo-based store called SOMEWHERE.

The Japanese design team h220430 is actually composed of two designers who are Satoshi Itasaka and Takuto Usami. The rather mundane looking name is actually based on the date of their foundation and they focus their efforts in lighting and furniture design. If you have money to spare, can afford international shipping costs and want something out of the ordinary to go in your contemporary living room or bedroom, then this red balloon bench is going to be highly appealing to you.

Check their website: h220430.

Via: Chair Blog.

Vervoordt is an art and antiques dealer from Belgium and has written this book to share his passion on Wabi style with the world. Also an Interior Designer, the author’s work has for a long time been inspired by Eastern art and traditions and has become a guiding principle in much of what he does. Simplicity and humility are the key components that many in the West find most agreeable in the Wabi-sabi way of thinking, where everything superfluous is rejected. This leads to design styles which suit a minimalist yet warmly traditional mix.

The book “Wabi Inspirations” contains a large collection of photographs which guide the reader through a series of explorations into the heart of the Wabi-sabi philosophy. Pictures can be found of interiors from Japan and Korea all the way to Belgium and Switzerland, each incorporating local styles into the simplicity, modesty, intimacy, asymmetry and appreciation of natural objects which make up Wabi décor. For anyone interested in Buddhism and simple interior styles, this book will make an ideal addition to your bookshelf.

You can buy this book here: Axel Vervoordt: Wabi Inspirations.

Price: 40.95

Locate the bicycle parking apparatus table in the kitchen and you can have a quick cup of a tea and a read of the newspaper before riding off to the gym! The design has been receiving popular reviews in Japan and elsewhere and no wonder. It’s not going to be to everyone tastes but it will likely become an item well liked by students and those who are addicted to their laptops. The plywood used in the construction means it’s relatively light and cheap.

Read more here: Store Muu.

H/T: Trendhunter.

This traditional style tatami mat is made from a double layer of Japanese rush grass which embodies long-lasting durability. Perfect for use in a variety of interiors, this tatami mat will compliment many different décor schemes especially those of an East Asian feel. Originally made in Japan for the nobility, this type of mat will bring aesthetic quality and a depth of cultural history to your home.

Japanese tatami mats are found in a number of different sizes. This particular mat is 6′x 3′ which will fit well into the majority of medium sized rooms and larger ones. The mats have also been used by martial arts practitioners as well as being used by the Samurai. In the West, a Japanese rush grass mat like this one will be ideal for a meditation room if you are so inclined to practice this relaxation technique for medical and/or Buddhist reasons. It will also serve well as a decorative floor mat to go under a home alter of whatever religion one happens to be.

You can buy this comfortable mat from here: 6′x 3′ Standard Handwoven Rush Grass Tatami Mat.

Price: $119.95
+ $59.02 Shipping

E.W. Godwin was one of the leading proponents of this new style and this can be seen best in his Japanese style sideboard in the picture above. it has since become one of the most recognisable and famous piece of 19th Century furniture and at the time of writing resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It’s interesting to note that Godwin designed these Anglo-Japanese furniture pieces for both himself and for a few contacts of his such as the Mahony family who owned Dromore Castle in County Kerry, Ireland.

In many ways, Godwin and his fellow group of designers were attempting to get away from the ornate historical styles that were prevalent during the middle of the 19th Century. A spirit of the East was born in their work which covered furniture and also wallpaper design which was progressive in nature and found admirers in the form of Oscar Wilde, the Irish writer, and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.

The sideboard above is highly geometric in form with plain ebonised surfaces which were to have great appeal to 20th Century Modernists. A lacquered wood finish adds to the starkness of the furniture piece and brings the structure of the sideboard to the fore. Japanese leather paper has been added which further compliments the sideboard’s Anglo-Japanese nature.

If you are interested in 19th Century design and how the opening up of Japan influenced designers in Europe, then a biography of Edward William Godwin is certainly a great place to learn more. One such book I recommend is: E. W. Godwin: Aesthetic Movement Architect and Designer.

If you are an artist and like to paint, then you will be in your element. It’s easy to find second-hand or cheap Ikea furniture to then prepare and paint on. The only limit is your imagination and perhaps your spouse’s patience. The hand painted chest of drawers in antique green pictured here is just such a result you can expect to achieve. There are numerous stencil template designs and cut outs that can be an aid in your design process.

However, if you’re not really artistically orientated and you want a gentle Orientally themed furniture piece, then the antique green chest of drawers with the hand-painted Oriental woman design on front might well be what you’re looking for. As you can see, it’s been given an aged look which will fit in especially with painted walls that have been given similar treatments.

It’s a great little addition to a hallway, bedroom or even a rustic style bathroom which might have a Japanese or Eastern ambiance. Whilst not technically an item that would have been found in the traditional Japanese tea rooms, you can place this where you entertain guests and use this in a similar way to its function in the picture, as a tea and coffee tray table.

You can buy this decorative chest from the following location: Hand Painted Chest of Drawers in Antique Green.

By the way, there is also a floral design on top.