Aramono are goods which are necessary for daily life, in particular for household and garden chores.
The word came into use in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), derived from the fact that the items in question were considered to be somewhat ‘rough’ (arai). In the early Edo period (1603-1867), the term came to refer generally to brooms, dustpans, pots, kettles, tubs, colanders and other daily commodities.
Individual aramono items, such as baskets used for harvesting crops, come in various designs, offering an insight into regional characteristics and lifestyles. They are produced on a ‘medium-scale’, often by small family businesses operating from home, of which there are many scattered across the length and breadth of Japan. Made of straw, tin or bamboo, aramono have a retro charm and often spark surprise with their ingenious functional designs.
A gallery of 1 item.
In recent years, aramono have seen something of a comeback. Some of this can be put down to their use of natural materials and longevity. Matsuno Hiroshi, owner of the Tokyo aramono shop Matsunoya explains more:
‘[Aramono items] tend to be sold at a very reasonable price point, but also not so cheap that you would find it too easy to discard them, so they don’t tend to end up in landfill. They are tough and durable for everyday use and extremely easy to use.’
Despite changing lifestyles and new production technologies, the manufacture of aramano has changed very little over the years, with most items still being produced in small workshops or spare rooms within private homes. Matsuno is proud of his business model which relies on collaboration with small-scale local businesses and makers:
‘This pot rest is made by these two ladies in their home. The older lady is the mother-in-law of the younger lady. I’ve been working with them for at least 20 years. Another supplier of pot rests that I work with, based in Niigata, grows two different kinds of rice herself – one, crop koshihikari, is for her to eat, but the other she grows specifically to use the straw to create pot rests and New Year decorations (shimenawa).’
A gallery of 1 item.
Several of Matsunoya’s suppliers are senior citizens who have developed their skills after retiring from their original career, as Matsuno explains:
‘With aramono, what I have seen is that the older generations, after their retirement, have gone into the business to learn these new skills. One example is in Sado Island. There is a gentleman who used to work for the Self-Defence Force in Japan and after he retired, he went back to where he was raised, Sado Island. His parents used to have a basket making business and he learnt the skill later in life and became a manufacturer himself.’
A gallery of 1 item.
In terms of passing down those skills to the next generation, Matusno sees his role as one of ensuring future demand for aramono. While a societal move away from plastic has generated a natural resurgence in demand, there are two other ways in which Matusno himself is contributing to an increase. The first is simply a question of marketing. He uses a broom to explain his point:
‘I live with my wife and my mother, who is about to turn 100 this year, and we use a broom daily because I know how convenient it is. Personally, I would much rather pick up a broom and just sweep something away rather than bring out the vacuum cleaner, pull out the cord, plug it in etc. It’s too much trouble compared to a broom. Also, modern lifestyles mean that people don’t come home until say, 10 p.m., which is too late to get the vacuum cleaner and disturb the neighbours. But with a broom, you can just pick it up and then sweep as you like, even late at night.
A gallery of 1 item.
This relates to the principle that I have learned through dealing with aramono that I would like to communicate to everyone. What seems convenient, in fact, comes with a lot of inconvenience, and the opposite is true as well. What seems inconvenient at first, in fact, carries a lot of convenience.
So, I proposed this idea of using brooms to younger generations who didn’t really grow up with brooms around their house and yes, it’s slowly coming back.’
Matsuno has also been the increasing popularity of aramono products through simple but impactful design updates which either make the items more aesthetically pleasing to younger generations or increase their suitability for modern life.
What seems convenient, in fact, comes with a lot of inconvenience. What seems inconvenient at first, in fact, carries a lot of convenience.
This type of galvanised steel container was traditionally used to store rice, protecting it from humidity. Around 30 years ago, Matsuno visited the small factory where it was made, run by a couple who had taken over from the husband’s parents. At that time, the product had somewhat fallen out of favour and was no longer a staple in Japanese households. Matsuno suggested to the couple that they add a slot at the front of the container for a label indicating what was inside. This small change meant that the item could be considered for other applications as well as just for storing rice, and it swiftly gained popularity:
‘Just by this simple change, the factory became extremely busy, even having to operate through the New Year holiday. That was a moment when I really realized that just a tiny drop of a new idea could inject a whole different life into aramono. Things that were considered to be more historical items can be rejuvenated with a new use.’
A gallery of 3 items.
The recent resurgence in popularity of aramono has also been bolstered by a complete lack of plastic in their manufacturing, making them more attractive items to have around the house, longer lasting and having less impact on the environment.
‘I think young people have started to appreciate the appeal because we have started to see the importance of sustainability. I think the trend is to move away from plastics to focus on something that is durable.’
A selection of aramono (and other items perfect for spring cleaning) is on display and available to purchase in the Shop until 15 March.
Watch the full recording of a talk event held at Japan House London with Matsuno Hiroshi.