World of SHIKI at DESIGN DISTRICT Vienna
9–11 October 2026 | Hofburg Vienna
World of SHIKI will be represented at MEISTERSTRASSE’s DESIGN DISTRICT 2026 from 9 to 11 October with two stands: SHIKI Boutique will present exquisite Japanese craftsmanship, while SHIKI Sakethek will invite visitors to taste sake.
DESIGN DISTRICT is one of Austria’s largest design fairs. For three days, it transforms the Hofburg into a showcase for exceptional design and craftsmanship. Around 300 Austrian and international brands span everything from interiors and lifestyle to tableware and gastronomy. The fair opens with a Grand Opening for approximately 3,000 invited guests from business, media and culture. World of SHIKI’s two stands will be located in the Wintergarten (M41).
At the SHIKI Boutique stand, visitors can discover the diversity of Japanese craftsmanship. “It is a special pleasure to present such a wide range of Japanese craftsmanship in the beautiful setting of the Hofburg. Better still, these pieces will not disappear after the fair: anyone who would like to see and hold them can visit our SHIKI Boutique in Vienna’s first district throughout the year,” says Joji Hattori, founder and owner of World of SHIKI.
Four makers shape the SHIKI Boutique presentation, each representing a distinct material tradition.
Shin Emon Gama creates extraordinary ceramics: large vases, bowls and vessels whose glazes glow with shifting colours and deep reds. Two elaborate techniques lie behind them. With the Yohen technique, the firing process produces unexpected colours and patterns. With Yusai, ruby-red copper-red and crystalline glazes merge into subtle gradations. The copper-red pieces, in particular, embody the maker’s guiding principle: “brilliance of form, astonishing effects of glaze.” When the copper in the glaze meets a strongly reducing flame in the kiln, it produces a jewel-like glow ranging from pale to deep red. The effect requires carefully selected materials and hours of firing at 1,300°C. This distinctive approach was established by Shinemon I, who began making large-scale pieces in Arita in 1972—highly unusual at the time.
Also from Arita is Fukagawa Seiji, a porcelain house with more than 130 years of history. Its plates, bowls and vases pair translucent white porcelain with vivid blue decoration. Their character comes from the firing and painting processes: the translucent white porcelain is fired at around 1,350°C, while the Dami brushwork creates the delicate gradations that give the signature “Fukagawa Blue” its depth. Fukagawa Seiji has supplied Japan’s Imperial Household since the Meiji era. Its porcelain has also been used at diplomatic receptions and for distinguished guests including Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein.
Nosaku opens the door to a different world of materials: deep-black and red lidded boxes and bowls, finely embellished with gold decoration. These Kanazawa lacquerwares and Kaga maki-e pieces are made using urushi lacquer techniques that the house has cultivated in the Kaga region since its founding in 1780. Now in its eighth generation, Nosaku carries the elegant culture of Japan’s nobility and samurai into the present with a deep understanding of traditional techniques.
Finally, Nousaku turns to metal. Although its name is easily confused with the lacquer house Nosaku, its craft is entirely its own: handmade tinware ranging from tableware and home accessories to art objects. Traditional casting techniques meet modern design. Founded in Toyama Prefecture in 1916, the workshop began by making Buddhist ritual objects, tea utensils and vases in brass and bronze. Tin became its signature material in the 2000s.
The SHIKI Sakethek offers another way to explore Japanese culture, inviting visitors to discover selected sake and enjoy a tasting on site. The sake stand is presented in partnership with Ueno Gourmet, one of Europe’s leading sake importers. “In Japan, sake is an integral part of the culture. For many people in Vienna, it is still something new to discover. And the best way to discover it is by tasting it—that is exactly what our stand is for: taste, ask questions and compare,” adds Joji Hattori.
At DESIGN DISTRICT, World of SHIKI brings together craftsmanship, design, Japanese table culture and sake—ready to discover, take home and taste.
MEISTERSTRASSE’s DESIGN DISTRICT 2026 takes place at the Hofburg Vienna from 9 to 11 October 2026. Opening hours are 10:00 am to 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday. The SHIKI Boutique and Sakethek stands are located in the Wintergarten (M41).
Tickets are available at www.design-district.at/infos-tickets.
Visit us at DESIGN DISTRICT Vienna in the Hofburg.
