About Us
Founder, Storyteller
I believe wisdom is passed down generations and stored within our body. Many of us have forgotten the ways to tap into it.
Tomo Yoshizawa
I grew up in a crafts family. My grandfather, Rikizo Munehiro, was a holder of intangible national cultural property (also known as Living National Treasure), my mother wove kimono and my father worked with wood to craft musical instruments called koto.
Despite all of that, no one, or so at least they said, expected me to take on their paths so I went on to explore my freedom; from studying abroad to working in media.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, I was at a loss. And I needed something more reliable, tangible, and long-lasting than the winding paths of life that I used to base my beliefs upon.
I started digging my roots, what’s beneath my feet. The stories of Shokunin craftsmen, Zen practitioners, my family and grandpas and grandmas from the neighbourhood captivated my heart. And I was lifted by listening to their life stories and teachings.
Through thousands of “deep listening” practices, I discovered something invaluable: unarticulated stories and quiet wisdom embedded in everyday life. Wanting to uncover these layers and share what they reveal, I became a cultural translator and founded this platform, Wisdom Toolkit.
Here, I share my own perspective on Japanese culture, shaped through conversations with craftspeople, artists, and researchers, and through close observation of everyday life. I believe it is in this unarticulated layer that culture is most deeply reflected. With Wisdom Blog and Tangible Wisdom, I hope to offer not only insight into Japanese culture, but ways to live with its wisdom today.
Interested in hiring Tomo as a Japanese Culture Consultant?
Contact her at tomo[at]wisdomtookit[dot]co or on social.
Photo courtesy of Aya Iwai
Frequently Asked Questions
What forms of payment do you accept?
We use happily accept all major credit cards, bank transfer, and PayPal for your checkout. Simply click the PayPal button (you do not need an account) and the option to pay by card will appear on the PayPal popup with no sign-in required.
Can Tomo help me find a Japanese gift or experience?
Happy to! Tomo can help you find them through her organically grown network of passionate people. Email Tomo[at]wisdomtoolkit[dot]co to let us know more details.
Can I see more work from the craftspeople in your Wisdom Blog?
Good question! The craftspeople we introduce here may not be very accessible on other platforms. We’d be happy to go between and help you discover more of their works.
Do you have a Mailing List where I can subscribe?
Thank you for asking! Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to sign up for the Wisdom Toolkit Newsletter, where some of the behind-the-scenes stories are shared. And for upcoming campaigns, events, and latest news, the subscribers are the first to know!