At Home with Okappa Houseware | Yasuko Johnson

In museums, the crafts most often celebrated are grand pieces—large moon jars, embellished goblets, etched glassware, inlaid lacquer boxes, and screens gilded in gold. These pieces deserve to be admired for their technique, beauty, and history, but I've always been less drawn to grand stories and more to the quiet lives of ordinary people and the objects used in daily life.

Enter Yasuko Johnson: mother, wife, donut enthusiast, dear friend, and owner of Okappa Houseware. Yasuko's name has been making its way into our lives more and more ever since we opened up the Oak Street gallery. We’ve briefly highlighted her business online while shopping her selection at local markets and pop-ups, but we wanted to do a proper introduction to showcase the face behind some of the most well-loved items in our own kitchen.

Originally from Kyoto, Yasuko currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two young teenagers. We first connected on Instagram when we noticed how many of the same Japanese businesses and artisans we both followed. Since then, we've gotten to know each other more through a series of local events and random encounters, and naturally, a friendship was forged through our mutual love of handicrafts. It’s not often I find someone who is just as obsessed with handmade objects as I am. Although Yasuko lives much more minimally, one look at her home proves that I've met my match!

Through her online shop, Okappa Houseware, Yasuko offers a wide range of home items from Japanese manufacturers and brands we know and love—like Toribe kitchen scissors and mixing bowls by Sori Yanagi—but she also carries pieces made by artisans I had yet to discover, such as Yoshihiro Nanao and Okubo House Mokkosha. One look at her thoughtful selection quickly reveals that 'beautiful functionality' is the guiding light of Okappa's curation. 

Hello Yasuko! Can you tell our readers a bit about how you got started with Okappa Houseware?

Hello hello!  Having my own small business had always been a dream of mine. Growing up, I watched my father genuinely enjoy running his business, and that left a strong impression on me. I’ve always loved traveling and was fascinated by cultures outside of Japan. But interestingly, it was through stepping outside of Japan and seeing it from a different perspective that I began to appreciate so many things about my own culture more deeply — especially Japanese hospitality, thoughtfulness in everyday life, and the beauty of craftsmanship. At the same time, I learned that many skilled artisans in Japan are aging, and some traditional techniques are slowly disappearing. That realization stayed with me. I started Okappa Houseware to share the joy of using thoughtfully made objects in everyday life, while also helping support the artisans and makers behind them.

We have to ask—how did you come up with your brand name?

I remember my former boss, whom I deeply admire, once telling me that a business name should make it clear what the business does. So that’s where “houseware” came from.
At the same time, people around me kept suggesting that I include my own name in the brand name, but I never felt very comfortable with that. “Okappa” is the Japanese word for the bob haircut I’ve always had — it had kind of become my trademark among friends and people around me. Then one day, while I was taking a bath, the name “Okappa Houseware” suddenly came to me. It felt simple, personal, and memorable, so I went with it.

You’ve worked in the food and hospitality industry for most of your professional career. When did you decide to turn your passion for everyday objects into a business?

I had been carrying the idea for about 20 years. In many ways, one of the reasons I moved to the States was to eventually make this dream come true. I spent years working for a local gourmet donut business with amazing coworkers and a leader I deeply respected. That experience taught me so much about communication, leadership, and building a business with heart, as well as what I like and don’t like. Over time, I realized I wasn’t getting any younger and that if I was ever going to pursue my own dream, I needed to do it while I still had the energy and courage to take the leap.

Your collection ranges from handmade crafts to small manufacturers and well-known brands, all made in Japan. What about Japanese culture and design do you wish to share most with your customers?

I feel that Japanese culture has a strong mindset of respecting and caring for others, and that spirit lives deeply within Japanese design and craftsmanship. Many everyday objects made in Japan are created with so much thoughtfulness — not just in how they look, but in how they feel to use, how they function, and how they quietly support daily life. When you bring those kinds of thoughtfully made products into your home, I think you can feel the care and love behind them, and they can make ordinary moments feel a little happier. Knowing that I can play a small role in bringing those thoughtful objects into people’s lives feels very special to me.

You grew up in Kyoto and traveled abroad for a few years before settling on the West Coast with your family. How has living and working in Portland, Oregon, influenced the products you use in everyday life?

People in Portland are very conscious about the environment, and living here has made me more mindful about choosing products made with sustainable materials. There’s also a strong culture here of appreciating vintage and secondhand items and giving them a second life. Because of that, I’ve grown to appreciate even more the beauty of objects aging over time — developing patina and character through everyday use — in a way I don’t think I fully did when I lived in Japan.

We’d love to hear how you decide which products to add to the shop. Tell us your process and what you look for in a piece!

Many of the items I carry are things I’ve personally enjoyed using for years in my own home. For new items, I usually start by thinking about the kinds of objects people use in everyday life, then ask myself questions like, "Does this work really well?" Is it thoughtfully made? Will it last for a long time? And is it beautiful? If a piece feels right in all of those ways, I’ll usually get a sample and live with it for a while myself. I like to actually use the products before deciding whether to welcome them into Okappa.

You’ve done a lot of in-person markets since opening Okappa. Do you notice a difference in offering a physical space where people can shop your products versus just selling online?

Definitely. The products I carry tend to have a quiet and simple appearance — they don’t really shout for attention. I do my best to communicate their special features, materials, and how to use them through writing and photos online, but people usually only discover those details once they’re already interested enough to click on the product. In person, though, people can actually touch and feel the products, which makes a huge difference. They can notice the weight, texture, balance, and small details that are hard to fully capture online. It also gives me the chance to share more stories behind the pieces and explain why they’re special. I especially feel that with ceramics and one-of-a-kind pieces. Those are something people often connect with much more deeply when they see them in person.

What challenges have you come across as a business since starting your business? How have you addressed them, or what are you trying next?

I started Okappa without any background in this kind of business or an existing network, so sourcing products was one of the biggest challenges in the beginning. I would reach out to makers and manufacturers whose work I genuinely loved, but often I was turned down or simply ignored because I didn’t have a physical store or much business history yet. Honestly, I understood their hesitation. Japan can be a fairly closed society in some ways, and people are often cautious about things that feel unfamiliar. So instead of giving up, I kept reaching out and sharing my genuine love for their products, how I personally used them in my daily life, and why I felt their work aligned so naturally with what Okappa cares about. Little by little, people started opening up. I think at the end of the day, business is still very human. Building real relationships and trust has made all the difference.

What other passions and interests do you have beyond your work with Okappa? How do you split your time between business, pleasure, motherhood, etc?

I love cooking, eating, and now I’m especially excited about gardening because the season is finally here. You know what my ‘American dreams’ were? Being able to have BBQs in the yard and grow a garden of my own. It still feels a little surreal and very special that those small dreams have come true. In Kyoto, people live very close to each other, and the tiny little garden space I had there barely got any sunlight. It’s been such a joy to grow some of the food I eat in my own garden, along with flowers to enjoy around the house. I was recently inspired by a friend and just planted a native variety of elderflower, which I’m very excited about. I can’t wait to watch it grow. Honestly, I’m not very good at separating life and work, but I’m okay with that because so much of what I love in my personal life naturally connects to okappa. Cooking, gathering around food, gardening, and caring for a home all inspire the way I live and the way I run my business.

We live in a society where so much of our identity is surrounded by the things we consume. How do you approach mindful living and sustainability in the context of your work and in your everyday life?

I've recently finished a book by a contemporary Japanese Marxist scholar. It took me forever to get through, but it left a lasting impression on me. Since reading it, I've found myself thinking a lot about the climate crisis and what kind of world we're leaving for the future. At times, those thoughts can feel overwhelming. But I also know that what I can do is limited, so I try to focus on what is within my control: appreciating what nature provides, minimizing waste, and being intentional about what I bring into my life. I've always been drawn to a more minimalist way of living. It not only makes cleaning and organizing easier, but also encourages me to be more thoughtful about what I own. Before bringing something into my home, I often ask myself: Will this last for a long time? Was it made thoughtfully? Do I support the people behind it? Do I really need it? How much joy will it bring to my life? The same questions guide the products I choose for okappa. I want to offer pieces that people can use and enjoy for many years, rather than things that are quickly forgotten or replaced. To be honest, I sometimes wonder whether running a business that sells products contradicts my desire to live simply. It's something I still think about. But I hope that sharing well-made objects with care behind them can encourage people to be a little more intentional about how they live, what they bring into their homes, and what they choose to surround themselves with. If Okappa can contribute to that in some small way, I feel good about the work I do.

Think of an object in your home that has the most significance to you. Could you share with us what it is and the memory behind it?

This is a hard one... If I had to choose, I'd say the four mugs I bought from Shussai Kiln. They were the first mingei ceramics I ever owned. Mingei is a Japanese folk craft movement that celebrates the beauty of everyday objects made by skilled artisans. Those mugs opened the door to the world of ceramics for me. Before then, I had never really thought about the difference between porcelain and earthenware. Their wares are simple and calm, yet they have a warmth that drew me in right away. Those mugs also taught me to appreciate how ceramics change over time. After more than twenty years of use, two of them have developed cracks, but I still enjoy drinking my morning coffee from them. Living with them has helped me appreciate the beauty of patina and the character that comes with age.

What is the guiding light and ethos behind Okappa? What do you want people to take away from your brand, and how do you want to be remembered?

I've always been drawn to beautiful objects and have found a lot of joy in being surrounded by them. At the same time, I'm a very practical person. What I bring to okappa is what I genuinely enjoy using in my own home, and that naturally shapes the collection: pieces that are beautiful, functional, and made with care. One Japanese concept that deeply resonates with me is *yo no bi* (用の美), a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that celebrates the beauty of practical, everyday objects. The idea is that true beauty is born from functionality and daily use, rather than being confined to art or decoration. I've always been drawn to that way of thinking and have tremendous respect for the people who create these objects through sincere craftsmanship. I hope Okappa can be a bridge between the makers who pour their care and skill into their work and the people who welcome those objects into their homes. I hope people think of Okappa as a place that shared good things made by good people, with care and sincerity, and where they could find things that made everyday life a little more delightful.

Lastly, where do you see Okappa heading? Any exciting projects you are working on right now, or dreams you’re hoping for in the future?

One thing I'm especially excited about right now is a Japan Fair that I'm helping coordinate this September. Several brands from Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan, will be visiting Portland for a series of pop-up events, and I'm helping organize a Japan-themed market at Coava Roastery's headquarters featuring both those visiting makers and local vendors with connections to Japan. Tsubame-Sanjo is known for its exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in stainless steel manufacturing, and I love that Coava—a company that shares a similar appreciation for quality and craftsmanship—is hosting the event. Over the years, I've met so many people in Portland who admire Japanese products, culture, and craftsmanship, yet we don't really have an event that brings all of those things together. It's something I've always wished existed, so it feels very special to be part of making it happen. As for the future, one of my long-term dreams is to work more closely with Japanese makers and share what I've learned living in both Japan and the United States. I'd love to help create products that retain the beauty and craftsmanship of Japanese design while feeling especially suited to everyday life here in America.

Quickfire Questions

Favorite donut in Portland
Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar out of the fryer at Blue Star Donuts!
New Okappa product you’re most excited about
Akira Shoji's handcrafted wooden trivets, cutting boards, and small trays!
Favorite places to go when you visit Kyoto
Demachi Futaba for daifuku, Nijo Wakasaya Teramachi for kakigori, Stock Kyoto for beautiful crafts, the Kyoto Imperial Palace for picnics, and the Kamo River for bike rides. There are just too many more to name...
A product you think you will ALWAYS carry
Stainless Steel Kitchen Scissors by Toribe. As long as they're being made and I can get my hands on them, they'll have a place at Okappa.
Favorite shops in Portland
Not a shop but PSU Farmer’s Market, Canoe, Courier/Soen + Storied Objects combo, Fumi, Cafe Cinco Siete, Cafe Olli, Bluto’s, Pistils Nursery.
You have 1000 yen to spend at a Japanese konbini, what do you get?
Imo Kempi (Japanese sweet potato chips). No hesitation. As many bags as 1,000 yen will buy.
Favorite dish(es) to cook at home
Butajiru (Japanese pork and vegetable soup), a simple bowl of good rice, and ohitashi (seasonal vegetables served in a light dashi broth).
What do you bring back in your suitcase after a trip to Kyoto?
My favorite tea, miso, and sansho peppercorns from Kyoto, along with clothes, ceramics, and crafts that I discover wherever I go. And good socks. Always good socks.