The term " Nordic vintage tableware" has become well established in Japan, and is increasingly seen in antique shops and online. However, the Japanese term " Japanese-style vintage tableware " is not often heard. In fact, many Japanese people have doubts about letting go of tableware that holds precious memories.

On the other hand, in Scandinavia, it is common to let go of tableware even if it was a memento from a parent. This is due to Scandinavian values. The idea of ​​passing it on to the next user is at the root of this, and so the genre of " Nordic vintage tableware " exists.

In this article, we will consider why Nordic values ​​have given rise to the genre of "Nordic vintage tableware," while the expression "Japanese-style vintage tableware" is not well-known.

1-1. Minimalist lifestyle and the concept of "death cleaning"

In Scandinavian countries, many people value a minimalist lifestyle, where people live simply and don't own more than they need. Furthermore, the Swedish concept of "Döstädning" (death cleaning), which has been gaining attention in recent years, is a custom in which elderly people organize their belongings to lighten their load and live out their lives without placing a burden on their families. While similar to the Japanese concept of " end-of-life planning," the idea is to "pass on items that are no longer in use to someone who needs them," and even for precious tableware that is a family keepsake , the idea that " it's better for someone to use it than to keep it in storage" is naturally accepted.

1-2. "Keeping it" does not mean "love"

In Japan, there is a strong belief that it is better not to let go of items that hold precious family memories , and so it is common for keepsakes such as tableware to be carefully stored at home. Even if they are not used, just having them there allows you to think of the deceased .

A uniquely Japanese value is the culture of passing down treasured items from generation to generation as "family heirlooms." Even tableware for everyday use is often deeply connected to family history , with successive heads of the household caring for tableware passed down from generation to generation.

On the other hand, Scandinavian people believe that if they don't use the item, they will be happier if it goes to a place where it can be put to good use . By passing it on to the next owner, the story continues uninterrupted . This is the Scandinavian value of "taking care of things."

2 - 1. The background behind the branding of Nordic vintage tableware: the abundance of designs from the mid-century period

Of course, the idea of ​​reuse is not the only reason why Nordic vintage tableware exists. In the mid-20th century, Scandinavia produced a large number of tableware with outstanding designs, which defined an era.

Famous Nordic potteries such as Arabia , Rörstrand , and Gustavsberg produced many unique designs from the 1950s to the 1970s. Their bold use of color and sophisticated patterns have been highly acclaimed throughout the ages and continue to attract collectors around the world. These works, created during the "golden age of modern design," created an environment in which they could easily be branded as "Nordic vintage."

2-2. The boom of internationally acclaimed "Nordic design"

The simple and functional style of Scandinavian interior design, furniture, and tableware has become popular worldwide, and the phenomenon known as the " Scandinavian boom " is currently ongoing. Scandinavian brands, which pursue designs that combine functionality and beauty, have become recognized as a major genre. This has also revitalized the market for vintage tableware both domestically and internationally. The Scandinavian style of "values ​​of passing down things beyond the boundaries of the family" can also be said to have triggered the Scandinavian boom .

This vintage value goes beyond using old tableware and furniture. It also involves using designs from over half a century ago to create new products with the same designs .

For example, Marimekko's signature floral design, Unikko , was invented by designer Maija Isola in 1964. In the world of furniture, Aalto 's chair, which exudes functional beauty, was designed in 1932 and is still being produced today. Continuing to use old things is also true for design.

2-3. Grandma's tableware

Previously introduced blog post ("Grandma's Tableware - The Inside Story of Nordic Vintage Tableware")
This story caused quite a stir. It was about a granddaughter giving up the tableware she inherited from her grandmother, but the underlying idea was that " because it was a beloved dish, I want to pass it on to someone who will love it even more ." Old tableware contains the memories and affection of its previous owner, and passing it on to the next person is a very Scandinavian way of thinking about cherishing things.

3-1. Scandinavian design that blends into your life

The Scandinavian vintage boom and the Japanese antique boom have different trends in how they are popular and how they are consumed .

The Scandinavian vintage boom spread from the bottom up , linked to lifestyle suggestions made available through magazines and social media . The vintage tableware used in fashionable cafes and Scandinavian interiors popular on Instagram were admired as scenes from everyday life, leading to a desire to incorporate these styles into one's own life . In other words, even though it was a boom, it was a style that had become established in a way that was integrated into everyday life and that ordinary consumers could enjoy on a daily basis.

On the other hand, antique booms in Japan often occur in a top-down manner . For example, the Japonism craze in the West during the Meiji period and the Western antique boom in Japan during the bubble period were driven by art dealers and collectors, which increased the value and sparked popularity.

There are cases where interest in antiques increases when their rarity or high appraisals become a hot topic, as seen on the TV show "Nandemo Kanteidan," but in these cases, antiques have a strong element of appreciation and speculation , and are not spreading as necessities of life. Even if they become popular, their involvement in everyday life is limited, unlike Scandinavian tableware.

Nordic vintage is not just a passing fad, but good tableware and designs continue to remain for a long time . Vintage has survived by going beyond a passing fad and becoming a standard genre. Also, Nordic design is well -established not only in Japan but around the world , so its popularity is unlikely to drop to zero in the future.

4. Nordic style: Connecting stories by letting go

In Scandinavia, people believe that " it's a waste to let something precious sit dormant ," and so tableware travels across the ocean to weave new stories in homes in other countries. This style is possible because it is based on the sustainable idea of ​​passing on things to those who need them . Vintage tableware contains the stories of its previous owners, and those who are attracted to it and purchase it will continue to write new stories for it .

5. The joy of getting to know each other's strengths and weaving stories together

There is a big difference in the values ​​surrounding family keepsakes and old tableware between Japan and Northern Europe. In Northern Europe, the act of " passing on to the next user " is natural, and this has led to the development of vintage culture. On the other hand, in Japan, there is a strong sense that " old things should be kept at home ," and they are often treated as antiques or traditional crafts.

However, neither is necessarily correct; what they all have in common is the underlying desire to cherish things .

When we acquire Scandinavian tableware under the name of vintage, we are also continuing the story that was born in a faraway country in our daily lives in Japan. Learning about the different ways people think about keepsakes may make Scandinavian vintage tableware even more romantic. Can we accept the stories that reside in old items as part of our own lives ? Perhaps that is the true joy of enjoying vintage items.

Whether it's Nordic vintage tableware or Japanese antiques, the idea of ​​" traveling through time to someone else's home " is the same. One day, the term "Japanese-style vintage tableware" may be born, and perhaps people overseas will discover its value. Try incorporating Nordic tableware into your life while weaving a new story that continues into the future.

Written by: Nordic Tableware Tackshomucke Editorial Department