There is a mystique around Japanese hand craft. Why? What makes Japanese handcrafted eyewear different from that made elsewhere? There are excellent craftspeople across the world, but when one thinks of hand craft, Japan first comes to mind.

For hundreds of years the Japanese have pursued perfection in every part of life. From before machines could produce replicates quickly and accurately, Japanese craftsmen have tirelessly honed their skills, trying to reach perfection. This certainly is a solid foundation, but I do not believe it to be a driving force.

Inherent difference in the thinking behind hand craft:

Thinking around handcrafted objects is completely different. In the west the thought is “because it is hand made, imperfections are expected”, here in Japan the thought is, “because it is hand made care has been taken to make it perfect”. Care is the important word here.

It is the deep desire of the craftsman to please their customer:

From a young age the Japanese are brought up to think of others before themselves, there is a deep desire to please the customer (omotenashi, often translated as hospitality, is really closer to sincere desire to please the customer – the literal translation is “no outward face”…ie, sincerity). While in the west, we “tip” – ie financially reward good service, in Japan, the reward comes from the act of pleasing. I believe this applies to craftsmen and what drives them as well.

In this world where we are losing connections, where the divide between the manufacturer and consumer grows ever farther apart, the care driven by the desire to please is what sets Japanese hand craft apart.

When I return from a sales trip and show our craftspeople pictures of those wearing the eyewear they made, it brings them joy. They are thrilled that something they created will become a very prominent part of peoples’ lives.