u/Yk1japa

This cabinet belonged to my grandmother and is now in my home.

My grandmother passed away a few years ago at the age of 92. The cabinet was already in her family home when she was a child, so according to my family it is approximately 100 years old.

One interesting thing about it is that it was designed to come apart into separate sections that stack together, almost like building blocks. The glass doors can also slide upward and be stored inside the cabinet itself.

When my grandmother’s family home was demolished after her passing, my mother told me to save the cabinet. I took it apart, moved all the pieces, and reassembled it in our current home. It was very heavy lol.

Some parts have been damaged over the years, which is a little sad, but I’m grateful that it has survived and is still with our family today.

This cabinet belonged to my grandmother and is now in my home.
My grandmother passed away a few years ago at the age of 92.

The cabinet was already in her family home when she was a child, so according to my family it is approximately 100 years old.

It has been used to store dishes and glassware for generations, and I wanted to share a small piece of my family’s history from Japan.

One interesting thing about it is that it was designed to come apart into separate sections that stack together, almost like building blocks.

The glass doors can also slide upward and be stored inside the cabinet itself.
When my grandmother’s family home was demolished after her passing, my mother told me to save the cabinet. I took it apart, moved all the pieces, and reassembled it in our current home. It was very heavy lol.

Some parts have been damaged over the years, which is a little sad, but I’m grateful that it has survived and is still with our family today.

Nobody in my family knows exactly how old this clay porridge pot is.
It belonged to my grandparents’ generation and may be 50+ years old.
It’s still used regularly and works just as well as ever.

This cut glass whiskey tumbler belonged to my grandfather, who passed away about 30 years ago.
It was recently passed down to me by my family. Despite its age, it’s still in excellent condition:)))

Never give up Roki! You’re pitching improving day by day!🧢

This pair of binoculars was passed down through my family and is probably from the 1960s or 70s.

The brand name, “Super Zenith,” wasn’t actually a manufacturer. It was one of the export brands used by Japanese trading companies during the post war boom, while the binoculars themselves were produced by various Japanese optical factories.

One detail I find fascinating is the number “105” stamped on the hinge.

Japanese export binoculars of that era often carried factory identification codes (known as JB/JE codes), which helped ensure quality control and traceability. Even a small number like this reflects how seriously “Made in Japan” quality standards were taken at the time.

The body is entirely metal, the optics are real glass, and unlike many modern budget binoculars, it can actually be disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, and repaired.

If the focus mechanism gets stiff or the prisms get dirty, the binoculars don’t become e waste they can be serviced and kept in use.

More than 50 years later, they’re still solid, and fully functional. :))

This was my grandmother’s.
It’s a Japanese cloisonné (Shippo-yaki) piece that has been in the family for decades.

I recently inherited it, and what amazed me is how little it has changed over the years. The colors are still vibrant, the surface is flawless, and even the original box and paperwork survived. Unlike many modern decorative items, this was made to last.

It’s not something I would ever use every day, but it’s a good reminder that quality craftsmanship can easily outlive the person who bought it.

Hopefully I’ll be able to pass it on to the next generation someday. but It may not be rare or expensive, and it could very well be a mass-produced item. Still, after spending who knows how many years tucked away in a drawer, I feel it’s worth preserving and caring for.

Today I’d like to share one of my modern BIFL items:)

These are traditional Japanese(Okinawan) Sai. Unlike the cheap stainless steel replicas you often see, these were hand-forged from solid iron by a Okinawan Blacksmith.

Each sai weighs about 700g (1.5 lbs). When I first got them two years ago, I completed roughly 10,000 basic swings just to get my wrists and forearms accustomed to their weight and balance.

As a bit of a durability test, I once struck a solid steel barbell with one of them. The black finish chipped slightly, but the sai itself didn’t bend, crack, or suffer any damage at all.

If you look closely at the pommels, you can see the black finish beginning to wear away, revealing the raw iron underneath from years of training and practice. They’re heavy, incredibly solid, and beautifully balanced:)))

I also have another natural whetstone that’s quite different from my old Aoto. This one feels much harder and noticeably more coarse/gritty when sharpening. Does anyone recognize what type of stone it might be?

It’s quite hard, but the feedback feels surprisingly soft and smooth. I use it with water, and it produces a gray slurry while sharpening. Any guesses what kind of stone it might be?

I also use it to restore the blade of my grandmother’s old katsuobushi planer:)))

2,500 hits. An MVP. A World Series champion. And somehow he’s still adding to his legacy.

I live with a chronic mental illness and insomnia, and some days are honestly really difficult. Seeing Freddie battle through injuries and still compete at the highest level gives me a lot of encouragement. It reminds me that showing up and keeping going matters, even when the road isn’t easy.

Congratulations on 2,500 hits, Freddie. You’re a living legend, and you’ve inspired me to keep pushing forward and not give up on myself.

This belonged to my grandmother and was part of her wedding belongings. It’s a traditional Japanese tool used to shave dried bonito into flakes for cooking. The blade had became bad condition, so I sharpened it and now it’s working again. :)))