Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2014

Every “Doing Business in Japan 101” primer states that after considerations for seniority, the most important part of any introduction is the exchange of meishi. What they forget to mention, though, is the impression given by the meishi-ire or business card holder. Before you hand over your identity, the other party has already registered it according to where it comes from—and woe be the one who pulls it dog-eared from their back pocket. The appropriately named Tokyo Kitsch has a safe, Japanophile solution: the tatami meishi-ire (¥3,150). Made in Gunma with lavish grass from Kagoshima (and the scent to match), this could not be a more über Nihon item if it tried. www.tokyokitsch.com