Behind the Shoji is one of the best reasons to visit the Garden in summer! An annual show and sale of Japanese and Japanese-inspired wares, visitors can purchase from a variety of curated items that are difficult to come across short of an expert-led tour through Japan’s many independent crafts and arts shops. In 2026, we’re excited to be showcasing items that will bring the joyful and vibrant artistry of Okinawa design to your home.
Okinawa: A Place of Colorful Beauty
A two-and-a-half-hour flight southwest from Tokyo, Okinawa is an archipelago home to nearly 1.5 million people in Japan. Formerly home to an independent kingdom known as Ryūkyū, it was completely reorganized as a prefecture in 1872 by the nation’s Meiji government. Because of its distance from mainland Japan, it is home to cultural traditions and artistry that are distinct from what one may typically find in other cultural centers like Kyoto or Kanazawa. Many of the items at Shoji that are either from Okinawa or inspired by it reflect the islands’ setting: a subtropical and colorful environment that inspires comparisons to Hawai’i.
Previewing this Year’s Shoji Highlights
We’re excited to offer some delightful items in this summer’s marketplace. Below are just a few of the new products you can take home this year.
Bingata Paper and Textile Goods
Available to purchase as scrolls, coasters, and other paper products, bingata are traditional dyed products from Okinawa given ecstatically colored patterns by using paper stencils.
Shīsā Guardian Lions
Omnipresent throughout the islands of Okinawa, shīsā are guardian lions depicted in many ways including the figurines available at Shoji. They’re often placed outside a building with the thought they provide protection.
Tamagusuku Pottery
As vibrantly blue as the ocean waters surrounding Okinawa, the pottery from Tamagusuku is a bright and beautiful addition to the dinner table whether it’s to entertain guests or give yourself a pop of color at mealtime.
Behind the Shoji runs June 27 through September 7 in the Pavilion Gallery.