Sustainability and Social Impact
Our commitment to mindful living: sustainability as a path to joy
At Oishya, we believe that true independence and self-fulfillment come from making conscious choices that honor both our values and our planet. Just as we craft each knife to spark joy in your kitchen for generations, we approach sustainability as a mindful practice—creating products that serve not just you and your family, but the world we all share.
Our journey begins with family businesses and generational artisans who have perfected their craft over decades. When we partner with small, family-run workshops in Sakai and Seki in Japan and many small villages and cities in Europe (mainly Poland and Italy), we’re not just sourcing products—we’re preserving ancient traditions and supporting communities where knowledge passes from parent to child, master to apprentice.
These family businesses embody our belief in quality over quantity. They don’t chase trends or flood the market with unnecessary variations. Instead, they focus on perfecting essential tools that have served kitchens for centuries. Working with them allows us to maintain our commitment to small-batch production, where each knife receives the individual attention it deserves rather than being rushed through mass production lines.
Family traditions and timeless craftsmanship
Creating only what the world needs
In a culture obsessed with constant newness, we take a radically different approach: we create only necessary products that last a lifetime. No disposable gadgets. No fleeting fads. No tools designed to break so you’ll buy again.
Every Oishya product exists because it serves a fundamental purpose in the kitchen—and serves it beautifully for generations. Our knives aren’t seasonal collections or trending designs; they’re timeless essentials that will be as relevant and cherished by your grandchildren as they are by you today.
This philosophy of necessity over novelty means we say no to the endless cycle of product launches that flood the market with items destined for landfills. Instead, we perfect what already works, honoring the wisdom of traditional designs while ensuring they meet the needs of modern cooks who value independence and self-fulfillment through mindful choices.
Our small-batch approach isn’t just about quality—it’s about responsibility. When family artisans craft knives in small quantities, they can give each piece the time and attention it deserves. This allows us to consistently fine-tune and improve our products, making each batch better than the last while ensuring zero waste from overproduction.
Small batches also mean we never create more than the world actually needs. No warehouses full of excess inventory. No pressure to push unnecessary products. Just the right amount of exceptional tools, crafted when they’re needed, for people who will treasure them.
Working with local craftsmen wherever possible further reduces our environmental impact. Our knife boxes and wooden products are created in Europe rather than Asia, supporting regional family businesses while reducing our carbon footprint. It’s a choice that reflects our commitment to community, sustainability, and the belief that the best things in life are made by people who care deeply about their craft.
Small batches, big impact
The wisdom of three: metal, stone, and wood
Like the ancient Japanese philosophy of finding harmony in simplicity, we focus on three foundational materials: metal, stone, and wood. These aren’t just materials—they’re partners in your culinary journey, each chosen for their inherent durability and timeless beauty.
These natural materials don’t just perform beautifully; they age gracefully, developing character and patina that tells the story of countless shared meals and cherished moments. By choosing these enduring materials, we prevent thousands of disposable, low-quality alternatives from entering our environment—a choice that reflects our commitment to creating tools that last lifetimes, not seasons.
Our recycled polyester bags represent our belief that innovation should serve both you and the planet. Made from RPET (recycled plastic bottles), each bag prevents waste while giving you a beautiful, reusable storage solution. Compared to virgin polyester production, our choice:
- Reduces CO2 emissions by over 4 tonnes
- Saves 14 gallons of petroleum
- Conserves over 14,000 gallons of water
These bags aren’t afterthoughts—they’re designed to become part of your life long after your linen find their home in your kitchen. Use them for travel, storage, or gifting. They embody our philosophy that everything we create should spark joy beyond its original purpose.
Innovation rooted in responsibility
Packaging that reflects our values
Every detail of our packaging tells the story of mindful living. We use uncoated paper and cardboard to ensure easy recycling, and we’ve completely reimagined our knife boxes to eliminate plastic foam. Like our RPET bags, these boxes are designed for a second life—perfect for storing jewelry, tea, postcards, or any treasures that bring you joy.
We reuse cardboard boxes whenever possible and choose sea shipping over air transport when feasible, reducing our CO2 emissions while ensuring your knives arrive safely. It’s a slower journey, but one that honours our commitment to creating everlasting joy without compromising our planet’s wellbeing.
