The Journal

Chinese Seals vs. Japanese Hanko: A Guide to Form, Meaning and Choosing a Personal Mark

A seal is a small object with a large presence. Pressed into red paste and lifted from paper, it leaves a mark that is at once practical, graphic and intimate. In Chinese artistic practice, a seal ...

Tea Cup Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Cup for Every Tea

The smallest tea cup on a tea table can look almost implausibly small: a quiet porcelain bowl that holds barely more than a generous sip. Yet that little vessel makes a precise argument. Tea is not...

The Complete Guide to Wall Art: How to Choose, Style, Size, and Collect Art for Your Home

From the right proportions above a sofa to the details that reveal craftsmanship, discover how to choose, hang and collect wall art that gives your home a more personal sense of place.

The Ultimate Art Lover’s Travel Guide to China: Museums, Ancient Crafts, Ceramic Towns and Contemporary Art

Follow China’s artistic traditions from imperial museums to living workshops. Discover Jingdezhen porcelain, Yixing teapots, Suzhou gardens and contemporary art, with considered itineraries and pra...

The Art Lover’s Guide to Japan: Museums, Art Islands, Craft Towns and Places Worth Traveling For

Discover Japan through its museums, art islands, ceramic towns and living craft traditions, with thoughtful 7-, 10- and 14-day itineraries and practical advice for collectors.

The Art of Meaningful Giving: An Artisan Gift Guide for Every Occasion

A comprehensive guide to meaningful artisan gifts for weddings, housewarmings, birthdays, tea lovers, collectors, parents, and corporate occasions.

Tibet and Tibetan Mala Beads: History, Meaning, Materials and the Art of Choosing One

What can a strand of Tibetan mala beads reveal about Tibet, Buddhist practice, Himalayan trade, and the art of bead-making? This definitive guide explores the meaning of 108 beads, materials from b...

The Ultimate Guide to Yixing Zisha Teapots: Clay, Craftsmanship, Tea and Collecting

Discover what makes Yixing Zisha teapots extraordinary—from Zini, Zhuni, Duanni and Jiangponi clay to handmade construction, tea pairing, authentication, care and collecting.

How to Choose an Incense Burner for a More Beautiful Daily Ritual

A practical and beautifully considered guide to choosing the right incense burner for your incense, your interior, and the quiet rituals of everyday life.

How to Choose a Wedding Hand Fan That Looks Beautiful in Every Photograph

A practical bridal guide to choosing a wedding hand fan by color, material, proportion, craftsmanship, and photographic effect—with styling advice for brides, bridesmaids, and destination celebrati...