The smaller of their two locations, Kobo, on capitol hill, is a beautiful store full of japanese artifacts like ceramic vessels, fiber boxes and mats, wooden bowls, paper prints and bamboo trays. if you like decorating your spaces with smooth stones set in a black iron bowl or a feather pinned to a worm-eaten slab of wood then this is the store for you. often there is an older gentleman seated at a tiny table painting traditional calligraphy or carving wooden block stamps who will do custom work at your request. this is no run of the mill import shop- these are treasures that make great gifts or inspiration. Prices reflect the quality of the wares and are a bit high, Visit Kobo while you wait for Joe Bar (next door) to finish making your crepe.
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