#Japan #Tokyo #circular economy #Maison Toji #Meguri Ware

Maison Toji Introduces Meguri Ware™: A Step Towards Sustainable Living

In a bid to align with changing lifestyles, Maison Toji, a tableware boutique located seven minutes from Musashi-Koyama Station in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, is officially launching a unique circular return system known as Meguri Ware™. This initiative encourages customers to return purchased tableware back to the store rather than discarding them as waste, thus promoting a cycle of reuse.

Understanding Meguri Ware™

Maison Toji aims to liberate consumers from the pressure of purchasing items referred to as 'lifetime possessions.' The founders desire that customers can incorporate quality, handmade tableware into their daily lives more freely and less anxiously. This returns system alleviates the guilt tied to disposing of beloved utensils that no longer fit one’s lifestyle.

The Underlying Factors: Resource Scarcity and Waste Disposal Issues

The world of Japanese ceramics is facing critical challenges, particularly resource depletion and the realities of waste disposal. The first major concern is the diminishing availability of high-quality clay and ceramic stones, essential materials for crafting these traditional dishes. Some production areas are already shifting towards using foreign materials, raising fears that, in the future, domestic artisans may become reliant on these imports.

Additionally, from a consumer's perspective, the burden of disposing of unused tableware has become an issue. Once baked at high temperatures, ceramics do not biodegrade, resulting in many dishes ending up in landfills labeled as non-burnable trash.

In a survey conducted among 98 participants aged between 20 and 60, about 70% expressed a strong guilt and resistance towards discarding cherished tableware, even when it no longer suited their dining needs. Responses indicated emotional ties to the craftsmanship involved and practical challenges like the difficulties in selling items via flea markets, the hassle of packaging and shipping, and concerns over environmental issues.

This disconnect between craftspeople and consumers led the founder to seek a fundamental business solution during his MBA studies. The goal was to ease the burdens on users while protecting the resources of ceramic producers, culminating in the inception of Meguri Ware™.

Inspiration from Ireland: A Culture of Loving and Sharing Goods

The idea for this circular system originated during the founder’s time in Ireland, where charity shops serve as community crossroads. These shops received quality goods—furniture, clothing, and tableware—that people no longer deemed suitable for their lives. These items, once along for the ride, are lovingly refurbished by professionals and become treasures for the next person.

This beautiful culture of cherishing items while passing them onto others inspired the vision of implementing a similar concept within Japan's rich world of craftsmanship and tableware.

The Meguri Ware™ Process: Bridging the Past with the Future

Maison Toji is not merely a shop chosen for its sustainability label but aims to offer tableware that beautifully complements contemporary dining. With a curated selection of quality pieces like those from Hyogo's Tanba ware, Okayama’s Bizen ware, and vintage Kutani ware, each item is attached to the Meguri Ware™ option to encourage sustainable practices.

Here’s how Meguri Ware™ works:
1. Choose & Buy: Select sophisticated tableware from our physical store or official online shop that resonates with your current aesthetic.
2. Use Daily: Integrate these pieces into your everyday meals, treating them as treasured tools.
3. Life Changes: When your lifestyle changes—be it moving, marriage, or changing family dynamics—your dining needs evolve.
4. Return: Instead of discarding, return items to Maison Toji either in-store or through delivery.
5. Earn Points: Depending on the condition, points will be offered for the next purchase of new tableware.
6. Next User: The returned items will be cleaned, maintained, repaired, or restored and then made available to the next owner.

It's important to note that only items bought from the official store and online shop are eligible for this program (some exceptions apply, like flea market items). Online purchases automatically record purchase history, while physical store purchases require prior member registration at the counter (free of charge).

Experience Maison Toji: A New Approach to Lifestyle

We invite you to experience our proposed new way of living at our physical store in Meguro Ward or online. Our team is eager to welcome you and help you find that special piece that resonates with your heart.

Store Precincts:

• - Name: Maison Toji
• - Address: 5-11-19 Meguro Honcho, Meguro Ward, Tokyo 152-0002
• - Access: 7 minutes from Musashi-Koyama Station on the Tokyu Meguro Line, 8 minutes from Nishikoyama Station.
• - Business Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Closed on irregular days; announcements made on Instagram)
• - Official Online Shop: maisontoji.com
• - Instagram: maisontoji_tokyo

For media inquiries regarding interviews, high-resolution image provision, or any relevant information, feel free to contact us.
Company Name: Meguri Works Co., Ltd.
Email: [email protected]