Zakka (from the Japanese ‘zak-ka’（雑貨）or ‘many things’) is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin, but it can also be Japanese goods, mainly from the fifties, sixties, and seventies. In Japan there are also so-called Asian Kakka in de zakka stores; that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.

Zakka has also been described as “the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane”. The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. “Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext.”

(Wikipedia)

The concept although originating in Japan, has spread and been adopted more widely. In Japan Zakka stores include Loft and Tokyu Hands which sell everything including an impressive stationery collection. In the UK an equivalent may be Tiger (again great for Stationery Products) For those of you who don’t like the idea of visiting a large chain for Zakka some other examples of Zakka include:

• Omoi Zakka Shop
• Zakka Life
• Passport
• Pipit Zakka Store
• Shinzi Katoh
• Zakka Soul

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