TGS BLOG
Studio Check-In with Studio Cue + GOLDA!
E: What was your purpose in creating Studio Cue and GOLDA products? K: I first created Studio Cue 休 as a wellness studio in Los Angeles back...
Tortoise Staff's Animal Favorites - A Round-Up!
Animals have the power to bridge the gap between our modern lives and the natural world. In the same way, our favorite animal-inspired products bring the spirit...
Check-in with Yo Takimoto - A message from Japan! (07.15.2020)
We last spoke to Yo back in March when Yo arrived from Japan to teach a spring session of woodcarving classes. Unfortunately, Yo had...
Seeing the Invisible: Sola Cube Creation! (07.14.2020)
Holding a sola cube is like holding a natural wonder in your hand... but how are they made? Step 1: Creating the Foundation The first...
Let's Summer Cool Down with Matcha from Ippodo! (06.24.2020)
Matcha is a finely milled green tea powder made from specially cultivated green tea leaves grown in the shade and processed to remove the stems and veins. ...
Obake - Our Friendly Neighborhood Ghosts, Monsters and Creatures of the Night
Obakes are a class of supernatural creatures often featured in Japanese folklore. Originally taken from the word bakeru, which literally translates into 'thing that changes', they're often known as shapeshifters. ...
Kokeshi Craft - A Look into Japan's Expression of Girl Power
The earliest evidence of Kokeshi dolls dates back to 1804 - 1829, the height of Japan's Edo Period. The craft first took root amongst rural farmers in Tohoku -...
Let's Celebrate Dads all Month Long! Staff Picks for Father's Day Gifts (06.18.2020)
We're especially grateful for Dads this year. During uncertain times, Dads have stepped up to support their families, taking on extra duties and wearing new...
Two New Styles of Hasami Porcelain Bowls Debuts Exclusively at Tortoise!
The satisfying texture, the surprisingly lightweight feeling, the varying shades of clay that sing when they're stacked: Hasami Porcelain is unmistakable. Since its founding in...