Found Muji

For almost thirty years, Muji's austere (and occasionally whimsical) stores have offered palette-cleansing, conscious-salving and financially low-impact retail therapy. In Japan that therapeutic hit can come with the small thrill of picking up a retractable pencil or the bigger high of ordering an off-the-peg house.
Its latest project though, is very much a return to first principles. Led by long-term Muji associate Naoto Fukasawa, Found Muji is a collection of un-branded, low-cost and often handcrafted household objects. These have been 'found' by Muji and do things the Muji way (and are a sort of commercial extension to Fukasawa and Jasper Morrison's 'Supernormal' project). Though in some cases Muji has intervened and asked the manufacturers to make slight adjustments, the point of the range is that the designs are largely left as Muji found them.
It is a measure of how much the new initiative means to Muji that it has turned over its first ever Tokyo store, in Aoyama, to this new concept. Redesigned by Fukasawa, it will serve as a model for Found Muji corners in other stores in Japan and then further afield.
On display and for sale is enamelware from France, feather dusters from Germany, metal pots from India and tableware from Thailand. Many of the products, and the places discovered, are photo-documented in the rather lovely Muji-made book.
Of course, the project is not without its contradictions. After all, these are just the sort of 'un-designed' essentials that Muji has offered sharper-edged upgrades to. But Muji is now using its considerable non-brand brand power to bring business to the hands of local makers and manufacturers.
For sale is enamelware from France, feather dusters from Germany, metal pots from India and tableware from Thailand. Pictured are chopsticks from China
Bamboo dish rack from China
Traditional Shaoxing wine carafe from China
Toys from China
A traditional breakfast café, depiciting daily life in China
Fried bread, traditionally served for breakfast, China
Woven stool from Thailand
Small black price tags on various spices from France
Historical café, France
Dijonnaise water carafe from France, given to cafes in a campaign to promote tap water
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Samuel Ross’ Miami Design District benches swoop in for sculptural sit-downs
Samuel Ross’ Miami Design District ‘Expression.Service.Essence’ project comprises 12 bench designs permanently installed in the ever-evolving neighbourhood
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Malorie Blackman is celebrated with British Library exhibition
‘Malorie Blackman: The Power of Stories’ at the British Library shines a light on her journey as an author, while touching on social issues represented in her novels
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Vincent Van Duysen’s stone furniture explores sensuality and culture
Vincent Van Duysen’s new furniture collection for stone specialist Arca is unveiled at Design Miami 2023
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Portable lights to illuminate your winter nights
The best portable lights and where to buy them: brighten up your summer nights with this edit of portable lamps for your desk and garden
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Door handles and knobs: latest designs for quick home updates
Door handles and beyond: open the door to a world of practical design details and ideas for door furniture with our selection of architectural ironmongery from some of the world's leading designers and makers
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
This new rug release from Floor Story is causing a cosmic eclipse
Kangan Arora and Floor Story have designed ten otherworldly illusions of form and tone – the ‘Cosmic Check’ and ‘Falling Shadows’ rug collections
By Martha Elliott Last updated
-
Scandinavian design meets Japanese heritage in OEO Studio’s Tokyo apartment
OEO Studio has collaborated with Japanese property developer ReBita on a luxury new apartment at Tokyo’s Opus Arisugawa Terrace & Residence
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Nendo and Georg Jensen create silver vases inspired by nature
Japanese design studio Nendo and Danish silversmith Georg Jensen create a set of three silver vases that combine organic forms and minimalist aesthetics
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Niwaki is a new outlet for Japan’s most innovative tools
New London store Niwaki sells exquisitely crafted Japanese gardening tools and workwear
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian design in Karimoku Case Study
The Azabu Residence by Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects’ Frederik Alexander Werner is part of the Karimoku Case Study project, and features a sombre material palette and restrained colour scheme for a peaceful family interior
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Snøhetta designs experimental culinary space in Tokyo
Snøhetta co-founder Craig Dykers discusses the architecture of Burnside – a Tokyo event space for art and design outfit En One and the Bronx chef collective Ghetto Gastro
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated