On the 21st of every month, the grounds of Toji Temple in Kyoto come alive with “Kobo-san,”

a traditional market that has been held continuously since 1239.

Over 1,000 stalls fill the temple grounds — offering antiques, crafts, clothing, food…

Walking through the market feels like traveling through centuries of Japanese history.

It’s a magical, almost timeless experience.

But for me, the true charm of Kobo-san lies in the conversations.

You don’t just buy things — you get to hear the stories behind them.

The maker’s passion. The history. The craftsmanship.

“This ceramic piece was fired many times by hand, with great care.”

“This fabric can only be woven using a traditional method passed down through generations.”

The artisans’ eyes sparkled as they spoke.

And I couldn’t help but be drawn into their stories.

Today, once again, Shokunin JAPAN was fortunate to encounter new and inspiring creators.

We met an artisan who said:

“I want to preserve tradition — but I also want to share it in new ways.”

That one sentence echoed deeply with our own mission.

It stirred something in our hearts.

At the same time, we also heard this familiar, painful truth:

“No one makes this tool anymore. When the last maker retires, our work may end too.”

Hearing this, again and again, is truly heartbreaking.

It reminds us that our mission is to keep culture alive.

Tradition lives on through human connection.

And Kobo-san reminds us of that every time.

As we move forward, Shokunin JAPAN will continue to cherish these encounters,

and bring the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship into the future — in new and meaningful ways.