Traditional Japanese Sweeping Set

Behind the Craft…

In Wakayama, Japan, Takada Kozo Shoten has been making household brushes since 1948, carrying on a craft that has been part of the region for generations.

The brushes are made from shuro, a natural fiber taken from the bark of windmill palm trees. The fibers are carefully prepared, gathered and bound with wire, a process that relies on the experience and steady hands of the maker. Much of the work is still done by hand, using techniques passed down over decades. As fewer people continue this trade, Takada is working to keep the craft alive, including efforts to restore the region's shuro palm groves.

Made using traditional techniques passed down through generations, these are practical tools with a history far richer than their simple appearance suggests.

The dustpan is intentionally made incredibly thin and flexible, but it's much stronger than it looks. It's made using a Japanese wood-veneering technique, where natural wood is shaved into extremely thin sheets. An aluminum layer is sandwiched between the wood, creating a three-layer construction. This allows the dustpan to flex almost like paper while retaining its strength. The thin edge also sits closely against the floor, making it easier to sweep up even the finest dust.

The wooden dustpan is beautifully thin and flexible, yet surprisingly strong. Made from fine layers of natural wood reinforced with aluminium, its clever design allows the edge to sit flush against the floor, collecting even the finest dust.