Palette Japan has a Japanese craft pop-up at Isetan where you can purchase accessories from upcycled yukata fabric
Ask Singaporeans where they’re heading for their next holiday, and there’s a high chance they’ll mention Japan.
Everyone knows the country for its konbini delights, cherry blossoms, and pop culture exports from anime to Pokémon. But beyond all that is a side that can easily get lost among the neon lights, cult beauty buys, and character merch: centuries-old crafts still being painstakingly kept alive today.
One of them is Tsumami Zaiku, a traditional fabric-folding craft dating back around 200 years to the Edo period, where tiny squares of fabric are folded into petals before being pieced together into flowers and other decorative designs.
And you don’t need to book another flight to Japan to give it a go.
A 200-year-old Japanese craft is being kept alive in Singapore
Palette Japan is currently holding a pop-up at Isetan Scotts from now till 15 Oct, where shoppers can browse handcrafted Tsumami Zaiku accessories and discover a craft that turns tiny scraps of fabric into some very intricate-looking blooms.
Behind Palette Japan are Japanese founder Tomoko Ota and Singapore-based Agnes Tay, who have been working together to introduce traditional Japanese craftsmanship to more people here.
Ms Ota turned her longtime interest in handmade Japanese crafts into a venture centred around Tsumami Zaiku, while Ms Tay serves as Palette Japan’s Asia Partner and Lead Master Trainer.
Together, they mentor a growing group of local trainers who teach the craft through workshops and community programmes.
Image courtesy of Palette Japan
That preservation effort is especially meaningful given how fiddly traditional Tsumami Zaiku can look.
More advanced versions involve manipulating delicate pieces of cloth measuring just one to three centimetres with tweezers, but there are also much easier ways to have a go yourself.
It looks intricate, but you don’t need pro origami-level skills
For those who feel like getting crafty or simply want a new way to slow down and try something different, Palette Japan runs workshops where you can learn the basics of Tsumami Zaiku and leave with a piece of your own.
Thankfully, you aren’t expected to arrive with surgeon-steady hands.
If your origami repertoire consists exclusively of paper fortune tellers, lopsided cranes, or squished stars, not to worry. The beginner-friendly method is surprisingly straightforward, as MS News found out firsthand during a recent session.
Using Ms Ota’s patented DIY Tsumami Zaiku kit, you start with small pre-cut squares of fabric, fold them into triangles, layer the pieces, then glue the petals onto a base one by one.
Add the centre, gently shape the petals, and the whole thing starts to ‘bloom’. From there, it can be attached to a base and worn as a brooch or hair clip, or worked into something else entirely, such as a keychain.
A good excuse to put your phone down for a while
That slower pace is part of the appeal, too. Tsumami Zaiku requires you to focus on one tiny piece of fabric at a time, which Palette Japan says can encourage relaxation and mindfulness.
Even the fabric comes with a story. Palette Japan uses material made with Sakai Chusen dyeing, a roughly 200-year-old technique where dye is poured through the cloth so the colour penetrates both sides.
Some of that fabric would otherwise have been discarded because of minor imperfections such as slight colour blurring. Instead, it is cut into the small pieces used for Tsumami Zaiku, giving old yukata fabric another life rather than letting it go to waste.
Tsumami Zaiku isn’t the only craft on the line-up.
Palette Japan also runs workshops on other traditional techniques, including Sashiko (a form of decorative hand-stitching) and Mizuhiki (the art of knotting decorative cords), so there are a few different ways to get hands-on with Japanese craft.
To stay updated on upcoming workshops and registration details, check Palette Japan’s website.
Shop handcrafted pieces at the Palette Japan Isetan Scotts pop-up
Those who would rather admire someone else’s handiwork can simply head to the ongoing Palette Japan pop-up at Isetan Scotts, held as part of Isetan’s Japan Living and Lifestyle event.
Palette Japan has brought along a range of handcrafted pieces by locally certified artisans, including earrings, pendants, keychains, bags, hair accessories, kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments), home décor, and art pieces.
Because each piece is handmade, no two are quite exactly alike. The collections range from floral designs and tiny animal motifs to pieces made with upcycled Chusen fabric.
Some items can also be customised with your preferred colours and designs, adding an even more personal touch to the finished creation.
Here are the details you need to know to plan your little shopping spree:
Palette Japan pop-up
Address: Isetan Scotts, Level 1, 350 Orchard Road, Shaw House, Singapore 238868
Dates: Now till 15 Oct 2026
Opening hours: 10am to 9pm daily
Nearest MRT station: Orchard
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Featured image courtesy of Palette Japan and by MS News.
