There is a long tradition within Japanese craft philosophy of finding beauty in everyday functional objects, something that also resonates strongly with our own philosophy on crafting clothes. Cohana's collection of sewing tools and haberdashery embody this philosophy beautifully.
Why Cohana Exists
Japan has a rich history of craftsmanship, from samurai swords and silk kimonos to humble pottery and household objects. Different regions specialised in particular crafts and techniques, with skills handed down through generations of makers.
With the rise of industrialisation and mass production, demand for handcrafted goods declined and many small regional industries began to disappear.
Cohana was established with the intention of preserving these once-revered craft traditions. By working with local artisans and using locally sourced materials, they create thoughtful maker’s tools designed for modern living while remaining deeply connected to traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Why Use Beautiful Tools?
Creating your own clothes is often as much about the process as the finished garment itself – the hours of planning, the labour, the individual stitches. The finished piece becomes a tangible result of all these small acts and moments.
The more love and care we put into creating a garment, the more we imbue it with meaning. Over time, these garments often come to hold memories of who we were when we made them, becoming far more than simply something to wear.
Of course, any tools can complete the task. But there is something special about using tools that are themselves the product of thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship. Objects made with care can deepen our own connection to the making process, turning ordinary rituals into something slower, more tactile and more joyful.
Tools Steeped in History
One of the things we love most about Cohana is the attention given to even the smallest details.
By collaborating with regional Japanese artisans and workshops, Cohana creates truly unique tools that seamlessly blend beauty, function and joy.
One such example is the Seki Mini Scissors, or Seki no Mame Basami. Cohana partnered with a renowned cutlery manufacturer in Seki – a region famous for centuries of blade-making – with the challenge of creating the smallest scissors possible. The result is a pair of beautifully precise scissors that are both impressively sharp and undeniably charming. (Mame translates to “bean” in Japanese culture and is often used to describe something small and cute.)
Elsewhere in the collection, pin cushions are hand-turned using local woods and paired with traditional textiles, while ceramic needle minders are crafted using traditional Hasami ware pottery techniques from Nagasaki Prefecture – a ceramic tradition dating back more than 400 years.
Preserving Craft Through Use
Traditional craft survives not only through museums or preservation projects, but through continued everyday use.
By choosing thoughtfully made tools and supporting the artisans behind them, we help keep these skills visible and valued for future generations of makers.
Explore our collection of Cohana sewing tools and notions.
