By Amy Chavez

Tokyo-based author and collector Amy Katoh has had her Blue & White store in Azabu Jūban, Minato-ku for 44 years. Her shop celebrates the Japanese love for blue and white, especially as represented in traditional textiles (kasuri, tenugui, zabuton cushions, etc.) and porcelain (Imari plates, vases, soba cups, etc).

Many of our readers will be familiar with Katoh’s books on traditional Japanese living and crafts. I remember when I first came to Japan, I used to stop by Kinokuniya bookstore just to do tachiyomi (standing and reading) of her beautifully written and photographed book Blue and White Japan. Twenty plus years later, I not only have applied her methods to my own interior decorating, but have a complete library of Katoh’s books: Japan: The Art of Living, Japan Country Living: Spirit, Tradition, Style and Otafuku: Joy of Japan.

You can help author and entrepreneur Amy Katoh keep her 44-year-old store afloat through the COVID-19 crisis by shopping at the Blue and White online shop where she offers hand-made original merchandise perfect to give as gifts or to imbue your house with that Japanese aesthetic touch! Alternatively, you can buy her books here (Japan) and here (Int’l).