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Cohana: The Regional Makers Behind a Japanese Sewing Box

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Glassworkers in Cohana’s Kinari collaboration feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.
Glassworkers in Cohana’s Kinari collaboration feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.

A flower inside a glass pinhead. A tassel tied to tiny scissors. A ceramic button that holds a needle. Open a Cohana sewing box and several different Japanese workshops are represented in the space of your palm. The interesting part is finding out who makes each piece—and how their work meets.

1. The company behind Cohana

KAWAGUCHI Co., Ltd. was established in May 1953. Its work includes the planning and development of handicraft tools, materials, repair products and stationery. The company lists its headquarters in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and a branch in Osaka. Cohana is one of its own brands. KAWAGUCHI company profile.

Cohana launched in 2016. The project brought KAWAGUCHI’s experience in developing tools together with the techniques of regional industries. Its stated purpose includes keeping those skills in use and supporting the places where they are practised. Practicality, selected materials and contemporary design all form part of the brief. About Cohana.

Cohana’s directly managed Nihonbashi shop, pictured on the brand’s official store page. Photograph: Cohana / KAWAGUCHI.
Cohana’s directly managed Nihonbashi shop, pictured on the brand’s official store page. Photograph: Cohana / KAWAGUCHI.

The brand’s own shop is on the ground floor of the KAWAGUCHI building in Nihonbashi. It presents the full Cohana collection in one place. The store introduction connects that Tokyo address with the many producing regions represented by the tools.

Cohana’s 2022 production-region map, already featured in the Eight Needles collection. This is a dated map, not a count of current suppliers.
Cohana’s 2022 production-region map, already featured in the Eight Needles collection. This is a dated map, not a count of current suppliers.

Cohana identifies the producers of individual components. Hasegawa makes the Seki Mini Scissors in Gifu; MARIMO makes their silk tassels in Fukuoka. Kinari supplies the glasswork for Tombo-dama pins, while Meizan Gama makes the Shigaraki button magnets in Shiga. These are separate workshops with different skills, brought together through the Cohana range. Scissors producers, glasswork, pottery producer.

2. Inside Kinari’s glasswork

Kinari’s glasswork connects Osaka with its studio in Tanba Sasayama, Hyogo. For Cohana, the technical problem was fitting a clear pattern into a pinhead about five millimetres across. Kinari proposed using millefiori: patterned glass rods whose cross-sections preserve a design as the glass is drawn thinner.

The small pieces are worked with a burner and attached to needles made in Hiroshima. The heat must be controlled so that the pattern remains distinct while the glass takes its final form. This is the manufacturing story behind the flower inside a Tombo-dama pin, rather than a decoration added after the pin is finished. Cohana’s account of the collaboration.

An artisan working at a burner in Cohana’s Tombo-dama manufacturing feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.
An artisan working at a burner in Cohana’s Tombo-dama manufacturing feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.

Explore this part of the story: Cohana-Tombo-dama Sewing Pins and Cypress Pincushion Necklace in 5 colours.

Patterned glass pieces used in the Tombo-dama pin project. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.
Patterned glass pieces used in the Tombo-dama pin project. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.

Pause between the photograph of the glassworker and the finished pin. The pattern is already present in the glass material; the maker has to preserve it through a change of scale. That makes the pinhead a useful object to study closely. Compare the little centres of the flowers, the space around them and the way light passes through the coloured glass.

Finished glass pinheads from Cohana’s Tombo-dama feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.
Finished glass pinheads from Cohana’s Tombo-dama feature. Photograph: Cohana / Kinari Glass.

The material story continues beyond glass. A ceramic needle rest asks you to notice glaze and surface. A small pair of scissors asks you to notice the point where the blades meet. A folding textile bag asks you to notice how a flat piece becomes a useful container. Choosing a first Cohana piece can begin with whichever of those details interests you most.

3. Hasegawa’s blades and Meizan’s clay

A craftsperson at work in the producer photograph supplied with Cohana’s Hasegawa Cutlery story. The individual is not named in the source.
A craftsperson at work in the producer photograph supplied with Cohana’s Hasegawa Cutlery story. The individual is not named in the source.

Hasegawa Cutlery was established in 1933 in Seki. Cohana’s miniature scissors use a pinch action without finger loops; the maker’s explanation places particular emphasis on the alignment of the two blades. The silk tassel comes from a second specialist, MARIMO in Chikugo. Seki Mini Scissors: story and producers.

Meizan Gama traces its pottery business to 1622. Its button-shaped needle rest uses Shigaraki ceramic with a built-in magnet. Clay and glaze are part of the object’s character, with variations in finish described in the maker’s own guidance. Shigaraki Ware Button Magnet.

The categories below gather the Cohana products listed at Eight Needles. They show how the same network of makers reaches different parts of the sewing table.

Pottery and work surfaces inside Meizan Gama, pictured in Cohana’s maker introduction. Photograph: Cohana / Meizan Gama.
Pottery and work surfaces inside Meizan Gama, pictured in Cohana’s maker introduction. Photograph: Cohana / Meizan Gama.

4. One sewing box, several places

A photograph from Cohana’s introduction to the Meizan Gama pottery collaboration. Photograph: Cohana / Meizan Gama.
A photograph from Cohana’s introduction to the Meizan Gama pottery collaboration. Photograph: Cohana / Meizan Gama.

The pleasure of the collection is that the same task—keeping a needle, cutting a thread, carrying a tool—can be approached through different materials. There is no need to assemble every piece at once. A pin, snip or pouch can be a small starting point, with its maker story attached.

Our collection is arranged below by the work the objects do. Read the makers’ story first, then use the categories to find the part that would earn a place on your own table.

5. Explore the collection by category

Explore by category

Sewing sets and finishing tools

Sets combine several objects; seam rippers and other finishing tools complete the range. The product titles identify limited editions where applicable. A collection photograph is not a promise of current availability.

Cohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – 7 Sewing Item Set in Deluxe PouchCohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – 7 Sewing Item Set in Deluxe PouchView details & options →
Browse 5 more in this category
Cohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Mini Sewing Set in Wooden BoxCohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Mini Sewing Set in Wooden BoxView details & options → Cohana-Awaji Kawara Seam Ripper in 2 coloursCohana-Awaji Kawara Seam Ripper in 2 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Wooden Thread Spool in 7 coloursCohana-Wooden Thread Spool in 7 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Seki Mini Scissors and Mini Drawstring Pouch Setin 5 coloursCohana-Seki Mini Scissors and Mini Drawstring Pouch Setin 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Seki Mini Scissors and Mini Masu Pincushion in 5 coloursCohana-Seki Mini Scissors and Mini Masu Pincushion in 5 coloursView details & options →

Pincushions, needle rests and holders

Cypress, masu-style wood, ceramic and kokeshi forms appear here. Shigaraki and Hasami pieces use pottery in needle storage; the Kokeshi Doll Pincushion gives a familiar wooden form a sewing function.

Cohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Wooden Needle MinderCohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Wooden Needle MinderView details & options →
Browse 8 more in this category
Cohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Hasami Magnetic Pin Spool HolderCohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Hasami Magnetic Pin Spool HolderView details & options → Cohana-Mini Masu Pincushion in 5 coloursCohana-Mini Masu Pincushion in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Awaji Kawara Magnetic Needle Rest with Needle Polisher in 5 coloursCohana-Awaji Kawara Magnetic Needle Rest with Needle Polisher in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Cypress Pincushion in 5 coloursCohana-Cypress Pincushion in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Shigaraki Ware Button Magnet in 5 coloursCohana-Shigaraki Ware Button Magnet in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Hasami Magnetic Pin Holder in 5 coloursCohana-Hasami Magnetic Pin Holder in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Tombo-dama Sewing Pins and Cypress Pincushion Necklace in 5 coloursCohana-Tombo-dama Sewing Pins and Cypress Pincushion Necklace in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Kokeshi Doll Pincushion in 4 coloursCohana-Kokeshi Doll Pincushion in 4 coloursView details & options →

Needles and decorative pins

Glass, parquet wood and mizuhiki appear alongside needle packets and threaders. The Tombo-dama and Flower Parquet pins offer two different material traditions in the small space of a pinhead.

Cohana-Haibara Chiyogami Needle Threader (Pack of 3)Cohana-Haibara Chiyogami Needle Threader (Pack of 3)View details & options →
Browse 7 more in this category
Cohana-Assorted Needles in Haibara Chiyogami Pack in 3 optionsCohana-Assorted Needles in Haibara Chiyogami Pack in 3 optionsView details & options → Cohana-Ohajiki Sewing Pins in 4 coloursCohana-Ohajiki Sewing Pins in 4 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Glass Sewing Pins in Cherry-Wood Box in 5 coloursCohana-Glass Sewing Pins in Cherry-Wood Box in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Tombo-dama Sewing PinsCohana-Tombo-dama Sewing PinsView details & options → Cohana-Flower Parquet Sewing PinsCohana-Flower Parquet Sewing PinsView details & options → Cohana-Meboso Needles set in 2 sizesCohana-Meboso Needles set in 2 sizesView details & options → Cohana-Iida Mizuhiki Sewing Pins in 4 coloursCohana-Iida Mizuhiki Sewing Pins in 4 coloursView details & options →

Scissors and thread snips

This group ranges from Seki Mini Scissors to lacquer-handled sewing shears and Shozaburo thread snips with Iga silk braid. The makers and finishes differ, so each model retains its own story.

Cohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Ginshu) – Limited EditionCohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Ginshu) – Limited EditionView details & options →
Browse 8 more in this category
Cohana-Seki Mini Scissors with Leather Pouch – 9th Anniversary Limited EditionCohana-Seki Mini Scissors with Leather Pouch – 9th Anniversary Limited EditionView details & options → Cohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles in 5 Colours – 7th Anniversary Limited EditionCohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles in 5 Colours – 7th Anniversary Limited EditionView details & options → Cohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles (Tamenuri)Cohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles (Tamenuri)View details & options → Cohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles (Shunuri)Cohana-Seki Sewing Shears with Lacquered Handles (Shunuri)View details & options → Cohana-Shozaburo Thread Snips with Iga Silk Braid in 4 coloursCohana-Shozaburo Thread Snips with Iga Silk Braid in 4 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Tamenuri)Cohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Tamenuri)View details & options → Cohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Shunuri)Cohana-Small Scissors with Lacquered Handles (Shunuri)View details & options → Cohana-Seki Mini Scissors in 5 coloursCohana-Seki Mini Scissors in 5 coloursView details & options →

Measuring and pattern-table tools

Rulers, tape measures and paperweights bring metal, wood and covered surfaces to the pattern table. This category shows another side of Cohana beyond miniature sewing accessories.

Cohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Cherry Wood Ruler 20cmCohana – Sakura Edition 2025 – Cherry Wood Ruler 20cmView details & options →
Browse 4 more in this category
Cohana-Yuzen Leather Paperweight in 2 coloursCohana-Yuzen Leather Paperweight in 2 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Nambu Iron Paperweight in 6 coloursCohana-Nambu Iron Paperweight in 6 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Brass Ruler (Classic Japanese Style) in 2 lengthsCohana-Brass Ruler (Classic Japanese Style) in 2 lengthsView details & options → Cohana-Tape Measure with Yuzen Leather Cover in 5 coloursCohana-Tape Measure with Yuzen Leather Cover in 5 coloursView details & options →

Bags, pouches and cases

The Mikawa Momen trifold bag, leather pouches and canvas pieces introduce textile and leather work. Their forms range from a small home for one tool to a folding arrangement for several.

Cohana-Waxed Canvas Tool Tote Bag in 4 coloursCohana-Waxed Canvas Tool Tote Bag in 4 coloursView details & options →
Browse 4 more in this category
Cohana-Canvas Pouch in 5 coloursCohana-Canvas Pouch in 5 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Mikawa Momen Trifold Toolbag in 4 coloursCohana-Mikawa Momen Trifold Toolbag in 4 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Paperboard Tool Case 2 coloursCohana-Paperboard Tool Case 2 coloursView details & options → Cohana-Himeji Leather Pouch in 5 coloursCohana-Himeji Leather Pouch in 5 coloursView details & options →

Words: Eight Needles. Historical, workshop and product images are credited in their captions. Company and manufacturing sources are linked beside the relevant passages. Historical and manufacturing sources are linked beside the relevant passages. Product links open the live Eight Needles shop.

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