Tokyo International Gift Show
Tan Mujiang Showcases: the Beauty of Chinese Woodcraft at the 100th Tokyo International Gift Show
Tokyo, Japan – September 3–5, 2025 – The 100th Tokyo International Gift Show (TIGS), one of the most influential trade fairs for the gift and lifestyle industry in Asia, welcomed exhibitors and buyers from around the world at Tokyo Big Sight. This milestone event served as a platform for innovation, cultural exchange, and global business connections. Among the many international brands present, Tan Mujiang, a renowned Chinese wooden craftsmanship brand, stood out with its extraordinary presentation of handmade woodwork that bridged heritage and modern design.
The Tokyo International Gift Show: A Global Stage for Innovation and Tradition
Since its establishment in 1976, the Tokyo International Gift Show has grown into one of Asia’s most important trade fairs, providing an essential platform for global exchange in design and lifestyle products. The 100th edition, organized by Business Guide-Sha, Inc., was especially symbolic, celebrating decades of creativity and cross-border collaboration.
For Tan Mujiang, participating in TIGS 2025 represented an opportunity to not only showcase its products but also to demonstrate how traditional craftsmanship can inspire modern lifestyles worldwide. By joining this global stage, Tan Mujiang reinforced its mission: to preserve the essence of Chinese woodcraft while reintroducing it to international audiences with fresh perspectives.
Bringing Oriental Craftsmanship to a Global Audience
Founded with the vision of revitalizing traditional Chinese woodworking, Tan Mujiang has become a cultural ambassador of woodcraft, blending heritage skills with modern aesthetics. At this year’s Tokyo show, the brand presented an extensive collection that celebrated Chinese intangible cultural heritage, while also resonating with contemporary lifestyle needs.
Tan Mujiang’s showcase drew attention for its meticulous detail and storytelling, rooted in three signature series:
l Lacquerware Series – Inspired by millennia-old lacquer artistry, each piece in this collection radiates a luminous, jade-like finish achieved through multiple layers of polishing and varnishing. The surface glows with depth and warmth, offering both artistic and practical appeal.
l Enamel Series – Featuring fine filigree outlines traced in golden wire and filled with vibrant enamel colors, this series embodied the harmony between classical Chinese motifs and minimalist modern design. The intricate craftsmanship demonstrated the enduring beauty of Eastern color aesthetics.
l Classic Wooden Series – Including handmade wooden combs, hairpins, and bracelets, this collection highlighted Tan Mujiang’s mastery of wood selection, shaping, and finishing. Each product was carefully polished to achieve a silky-smooth texture, while maintaining the natural grain and warmth of the material.
Visitors praised the products for their balance of artistry and functionality—a philosophy that has long defined Tan Mujiang’s design approach.
Interactive Experiences: Inviting the World Into Chinese Craft
A highlight of the booth was Tan Mujiang’s Interactive Painting Comb Workshop, which allowed visitors to design and paint their own wooden combs. This hands-on activity became one of the exhibition’s most popular attractions.
Japanese attendees, international buyers, and creative professionals eagerly joined in, discovering the tactile warmth of wood and the meditative calm of working with natural materials. For many, it transformed the comb into something more than a grooming tool—it became a personalized keepsake, infused with creativity and cultural resonance.
Through this interactive approach, Tan Mujiang successfully bridged cultural gaps, enabling visitors not just to observe but to participate in the heritage of Chinese craftsmanship.
Heritage and Innovation: The Tan Mujiang Philosophy
Since its founding, Tan Mujiang has remained dedicated to three guiding principles: using natural materials, preserving traditional techniques, and creating meaningful products that enrich daily life.
Every comb, brush, or ornament reflects these values. The selection of fine hardwoods ensures durability and natural elegance. Hand-polishing techniques, passed down through generations, preserve the warmth and authenticity of craftsmanship. And thoughtful, ergonomic designs ensure that these heritage pieces align with the needs of modern consumers.
At the same time, Tan Mujiang continues to innovate—integrating eco-friendly practices, exploring new forms of cultural expression, and collaborating internationally to keep tradition alive in a rapidly changing world.
Conclusion: Inheriting Tradition, Inspiring the Future
Tan Mujiang’s participation in the 100th Tokyo International Gift Show was not just about presenting products—it was about sharing a vision. A vision where centuries-old techniques are not confined to history but are continuously reinterpreted for today’s world.
In Chinese tradition, combs symbolize love, care, and longevity. They are more than utilitarian tools; they are gifts of affection, family heirlooms, and cultural artifacts. By elevating the humble comb into a work of art, Tan Mujiang emphasizes its cultural significance—transforming it into a bridge between past and present, East and West, artistry and everyday life.
Every handmade comb, every lacquered ornament, and every painted piece embodies the inheritance of traditional skills, passed from artisan to artisan, generation after generation. Yet at the same time, they are also ambassadors of global cultural exchange, carrying the essence of Chinese craftsmanship into new markets and homes worldwide.
As Tan Mujiang looks to the future, it remains committed to its role as both a preserver and innovator. Its goal is not only to grow as a brand but also to ensure that traditional crafts continue to thrive in modern society—enriching lives, inspiring creativity, and connecting cultures.
In the halls of Tokyo Big Sight, Tan Mujiang demonstrated that the beauty of heritage is not limited by geography or time. With global vision and timeless technique, it invites the world to see, feel, and cherish the enduring elegance of Chinese woodcraft.
