When it comes to Kamakura carving, there are representative items that are said to be traditional staples such as trays, plates, and tea saucers, but aside from these tableware items, another item that has traditionally been very popular is the Kamakura carved hand mirror.

Unlike tableware, where items are placed on the carved surface, the carving is done on the reverse side of the mirrored surface, which is what is used, so it is an item that can fully express its decorativeness.

This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I believe that the hand mirror motif, expressed through intricate carving, combined with the lacquer finish unique to Kamakura carving, is a form of traditional beauty that has the potential to heighten the aesthetic sense of the user.

A special time when a sense of beauty emerges

More than just a practical item, carrying and looking at a Kamakura-bori hand mirror can be said to bring artistry into everyday life with its beautiful design and refined texture. This artistry in the everyday can transform it into a special moment that awakens the user's sense of beauty.

Also, the figure of someone holding a hand mirror is sometimes depicted as a beautiful scene. The graceful posture of self-care is a picture-perfect elegant moment. The gesture of applying makeup or adjusting one's hair while looking in a hand mirror is graceful and elegant, exuding an artistic sensibility.

Using a hand mirror is an expression of self-care and a sense of beauty, and I think that the attitude symbolizes taking care of oneself and pursuing beauty. In such an everyday scene, I think the hand mirror you use needs to be a special item.

A deep attachment to traditional culture felt through hand mirrors

Lacquerware, a craft unique to East Asia, has been loved in Japan since ancient times as an indispensable item in daily life. Hand mirrors in particular are items that we use often every day, and the more we use them, the more familiar they become to our hands and the more we tend to feel attached to them.

Some of our customers even repaint hand mirrors that they have used for decades and pass them down to their daughters, which really brings home to us the importance of hand mirrors as something special.

Since ancient times, the Japanese have believed that objects have souls, and the act of cherishing and using things for a long time can itself be considered a part of traditional Japanese culture. I believe that a special appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and traditions can improve your own aesthetic sense, and a cultural experience through a hand mirror may bring new meaning and depth to your everyday life.

Discover your own style: a unique hand mirror

At Sansui-do, we don't just offer standard designs, we often accept custom orders for floral designs that are meaningful to our customers. You will feel even more attached to a special design that is unique to you.

Additionally, the overwhelming majority of orders for hand mirrors are for custom engraving names. Every time you pick it up, you get that special feeling of being the only one in the world.

These custom hand mirrors are also perfect as gifts. To make them even more special, you can add a floral design to commemorate the birthday season or engrave the recipient's initials.

For the recipient, the hand mirror will become an unforgettable and special memory.

Carry your sense of beauty with a portable princess mirror

Sansui-do offers hand mirrors in three different sizes.

・Long-handed mirror Mirror diameter 148mm Closest to the size of a typical hand mirror <Click here for a list of long-handed mirror products>

・Medium-sized mirror: Mirror diameter 120mm. Slightly smaller than a long-sized mirror, making it easy to use . ＜Click here for a list of medium-sized mirror products＞

・Princess mirror Mirror diameter 66mm Portable size that fits in your pocket <Click here for a list of Princess mirror products>

Compact and easy to carry, princess mirrors are very convenient for touching up your makeup or styling your hair on the go. They are an essential item for women who want to carry their sense of beauty with them wherever they go.

Why not attract attention from those around you by looking elegantly at the Kamakura-bori hand mirror? The carefully designed mirror is sure to be a topic of conversation in public.

So far, I have talked about the appeal of Kamakura carved hand mirrors.

By introducing a sense of exclusivity into everyday life through hand mirrors, we hope that they will become more than just functional items; they can also act as a switch on customers' everyday aesthetic sense, which will be rewarding for us as makers.

High-quality, beautifully designed hand mirrors are still an attractive item for fashion and aesthetic conscious people. Why not pick one up and rediscover beauty as a small daily luxury?

bonus

The other day, Zussine, the unofficial mascot character from neighboring Zushi, came to visit our store.
Zussine was also very interested in the hand mirror and was busy grooming his fur (laughs).