In a world where fast fashion and mass production dominate, you may have heard of a local company that stands as an icon of tradition, artistry, and cultural preservation. Arashi House is a luxury online boutique that specialises in authentic Japanese products, bringing the intricate artistry of Japan to South Africa. The journey of Arashi House isn’t a story about commerce; it’s a deeply personal narrative of passion, resilience, and a profound love for Japanese culture. We decided to speak to its founder, Caitlin Spies, to find out more about how it all came to be.
Q. Could you tell us about the moment that inspired you to start Arashi House? What was the catalyst that pushed you to bring Japanese culture and craftsmanship to South Africa?
A. I love kimono, and I love Japan. There’s something uniquely beautiful about the Japanese's appreciation for the world around them that fills me with curiosity for the world as they see it. The kimono is also deeply intertwined with this philosophy and reflects the values of Japan. No piece is rushed through a production line but rather carefully crafted by scores of hands through numerous stages of creation. Each piece can take months, or—in some cases—even years, of dedication. As an artist, I enjoy seeing that level of precision and find it incredibly inspiring.
I recognised this from young, so it always saddened me to know that I couldn’t find kimono here in South Africa. Fast forward to my early twenties when I decided to travel to Japan, and I was once again saddened by the fact that I couldn’t afford these beautifully crafted wonders, many of which stretched into tens of thousands of rands. Life seemed to be against me! One day, after being drawn deeper and deeper into the world of Japanese craftsmanship, I decided that enough was enough. There were just too many beautiful artistic works in Japan that I needed to see back home, and so, on an unusually windy day in September of 2023, Arashi House was born.
Q. How did your personal connection to Japan and its culture influence the way you approached creating this space? What aspects of Japanese culture resonate most with you?
A. My first introduction into the world of Japanese culture came through an interest in its language, which led to my joining a local Japanese language school. The more I learnt about Japan's culture and history, the more fascinated I became. I admire their deliberate artistry, from the care they take in mastering their crafts—with many people apprenticed to their teachers for several decades at a time—to the small considerations in everyday life, be it the way they use their words or the pride they take in wrapping a parcel with care. It is considered and it is elegant. I enjoy this immensely.
My aim was to bring that elegance into Arashi House while ensuring that it remains accessible to as many people as possible. It's about far more than acquiring beautiful items; it’s about embracing a way of life that values detail, patience, and beauty in the everyday. If I can share that with those around me, I think it will be a beautiful accomplishment.
Q. You’ve mentioned that Arashi House is an extension of your vision and identity. Could you elaborate on how the name “Arashi” and its meaning tie into your journey as an entrepreneur?
A. ’Storm’ is something of a nickname for me, and—having taken those Japanese language lessons for the past few years—Arashi, the Japanese word for storm, was a natural extension. With my company being such a deeply personal project, I wanted to incorporate this aspect into my work. To me, Arashi House is more than a store; I see it as a home filled with beauty and elegance—through kimono, kokeshi dolls, kimekomi, and beyond—with a door that remains open to anyone with curiosity for the hidden gems of Japan who'd care to visit. It’s an extension of my passions and simply my vision of a small paradise that I am lucky enough to share with a beautiful community. It touches on an authentic expression of both fashion and interior styling and reflects a unique view of both traditional and modern Japan.
A glimpse of the Arashi House collection.
Q. When you first started Arashi House, what challenges did you face in sourcing authentic items from Japan while based in South Africa?
A. The greatest difficulty is in keeping the market accessible. We’ve fought really hard to keep our prices realistic in the South African market; something that isn’t always easy with a fluctuating currency and high import taxation. That said, I feel like this is absolutely vital to maintaining our ethos. I don’t want people to be excluded from their passions simply because of a paywall, so we try to facilitate an environment where passionate people can always brighten up their world with something they love. This is why we have implemented systems, like lay-by facilities, in an attempt to provide opportunities for those who might otherwise have faced difficulty.
This is also what turned our attention to vintage items. There is something special about holding a vintage kimono. After decades, they are usually still in pristine condition and shine just as brightly as when they were first crafted. The care that went into maintaining this shows genuine love from their previous owners, with kimono usually passed down from one generation to the next. We aim to honour that legacy. For the occasional items that aren’t in excellent condition, we give them a new lease on life by turning them into other kimono-based products, such as handbags, hair accessories, and homeware, so that they can continue to grace lives in a new way.
Q. Your boutique offers an array of items, from kimono to rare antiques and handcrafted collectibles. How do you decide which pieces to feature? What do you look for when sourcing new items for Arashi House?
A. We are quite simply obsessed with quality and craftsmanship, and this is the greatest guiding light when sourcing new items. All of our kimono are 100% silk, and we only bring in some of the most beautiful kimono styles to showcase their unique artistry. Be it striking hōmongi and furisode kimono or Sosaku kokeshi dolls from award-winning Japanese artists, our eye can be caught by anything of particular beauty.
The next, although equally vital aspect of our sourcing process, is personal passion. We are deeply passionate about everything we supply in our boutique; from netsuke to kimekomi creations, we usually spend months researching these products before they ever hit our website. That said, Arashi House is a conversation between our passion for Japan and the stories our customers want to tell. I’m always keenly excited when we get a special request from customers who desire a specific item. There is always more to learn and we love the process of unearthing hidden histories discovering new wonders.
Behind the scenes shots from one of the Arashi House photo shoots.
Q. You describe Arashi House as more than just a retail space but as a cultural hub. Can you tell us more about your vision for Arashi House in terms of community engagement and cultural education?
A. At its purest, I want Arashi House to be a conduit of storytelling. I want to be able to share the stories of each unique Japanese product with the people of South Africa, be it the tale of how a particular kokeshi doll came to be, or through unraveling the process of how to wear kimono in a way that honours Japanese tradition.
It’s quite a learning curve too! There are so many aspects of kitsuke (traditional Japanese kimono dressing) that carry such depth of meaning that we, as Westerners, don’t always understand the significance of. For example, with something as small as how you style your obijime (a silk cord used to secure and decorate your obi), you could showcase exactly which school of kimono dressing you follow, or, alternatively, you might accidentally dress in the style of funerary attire. I love learning about all of these intricacies.
Through this journey, I’ve been honoured to meet so many wonderful people, including members of the Embassy of Japan in South Africa and other entrepreneurs who are promoting a love of Japanese culture in their own unique way. It's been wonderful to be a small part of this growing environment in South Africa where we can all connect through shared passions and promote Japanese culture. I’m often humbled by their stories and appreciate being able to learn from one other. It creates a wonderful space for growth, and I'd love to offer more workshops in the future to allow others to unlock new aspects of Japan with which they may not be familiar.
Q. Kimono are central to your collection. What do you believe they represent, and how does wearing or owning a kimono connect a person to Japanese culture in a deeper way?
A. Kimono are quintessential Japanese cultural garb, representing both elegance and mystery, and yet, they are often misunderstood. Many a time, a well-meaning stranger has complimented me on my 'costume'. I'm deeply grateful for their enthusiasm, but these articles of clothing are no more costumes than a Scottish kilt is a skirt; they are the tactile embodiment of a people's living history.
I feel it's important to honour and remember that when we wear them. If you approach kimono with this mindset, you really connect with generations of Japanese history. While we might now wear fewer layers than was once worn traditionally in the imperial courts, and the hem lengths and obi musubi (knots) have certainly changed over time, the actual design of the kimono has evolved very gently, staying true to its original shape. And those small changes? Each one tells you a little more about the shifting social-political climate of Japan through the years. Wearing a kimono is like shrouding yourself in a thousand tiny memories of Japan.
So many Japanese nationals whom I've met also really enjoy seeing appreciation for kimono in other lands, as modernisation has impacted their popularity in Japan amongst the youth, who often no longer wear kimono every day. One elderly gentleman expressed how he missed hearing the distinctive "click-clack" of traditional wooden geta shoes as crowds of people hurried about their day, click-clacking as they went. You don't hear that very much anymore in Japan these days. The world changes, but we can still enjoy timeless beauty in a new way.
Q. How do you see Arashi House evolving in the coming years? Are there any exciting projects, collaborations, or expansions that you’re looking forward to?
A. We have many exciting plans in mind that we can't wait to explore in the future. There are big plans to expand our clothing, accessory, and homeware collections in the near future, which is going to be great fun to bring to fruition, as well as some upcoming projects to broaden public awareness. I can’t say too much, but watch this space!
Q. As someone who is both a fine artist and an entrepreneur, how do you balance your creative passions with the business side of running a boutique?
A. It’s certainly a balancing act, but I believe it is important to let the passions drive the business and not to let the practicalities of living in a capitalist society overshadow what was built to be a beautiful space of cultural learning. While the business obviously needs to be nourished in its own ways, I think maintaining this ethos allows me to balance the creative aspects of my personality while also allowing the entrepreneur within to tackle challenges with vigour and enthusiasm.
In fact, several of the items we supply—including our embroidered temari and origami jewellery—are all hand-made by me as a form of creative expression. My love of the traditional Japanese folk craft of Kimekomi also led to our teaching a workshop on the technique in 2023. As we unearth new personal passions for the culture, they inevitably begin to shine through in our boutique, and I feel like that's a healthy and natural evolution.
Q. Do you think there is a growing interest in Japanese culture and artistry in South Africa? If so, how do you plan to nurture this interest moving forward?
A. Oh, absolutely! I have found there to be such a wonderful response to Arashi House and an astonishing enthusiasm for Japanese culture in general. From working with the Japanese Embassy in South Africa to meeting and speaking with South Africans with a passion for Japan, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. I think exposing people to new experiences inevitably stirs up greater empathy and understanding, and we have a wonderful community of enthusiasts who are doing exactly that and learning from each other all the while. It's a beautiful thing and the ultimate goal.
Whether that means our collaborating with other Japan-focused enterprises in Cape Town and beyond or focusing on solo exhibitions to broaden collective awareness, the future is rife with possibilities for Arashi House to contribute to the growing community, and I'm always happy to put time and energy into such a rewarding enterprise.
Q. What advice would you give to someone wanting to learn more about Japanese culture?
A. I would suggest starting with its language. I am a language enthusiast and believe that there really is no better way to gain insight into a community than through studying their language. It's the truest reflection of a culture, molding and adapting over time, and to learn its structure and its idiosyncrasies is like watching a neural evolution in real time. Breathing in Japanese resources, in the original language, as well as speaking to Japanese people, is one of the best and most undiluted ways through which to gain insight and enjoy the process.
Now, I know… it’s a complicated language! That said, it reflects a complicated society. The finer minutiae of politeness and social hierarchy, not to mention community focus, found within Japan and its language, are fascinating and really open up your understanding of the land and its people. If you don’t want to commit to learning a whole new language, then find resources written by people who understand the nuances of Japan, be they Japanese authors or non-nationals who have dedicated their lives to the study of the country. A personal favourite of mine is Liza Dalby, an anthropologist, author, and the first non-Japanese geisha of Japan. I could definitely recommend her work if you'd like somewhere to start.
Q. Finally, what is the most rewarding part of running Arashi House? Are there any particular moments or interactions with customers that have stood out to you as especially meaningful?
A. I love chatting with our customers. A standout moment was at an event recently where I was dressed in full kimono kitsuke. I had decided to wear a drawstring pouch that day too, for practical reasons, but opted to wear the pouch in the style of an inro, which is a Japanese container traditionally worn by men as a storage solution in a time before pockets. This style includes securing the pouch with a netsuke, which is a small, decorative toggle that slips behind and pops out the top of the obi to keep the inro in place.
While I was bustling about, a rather adorable elderly lady came up to me, practically breathless. She had spotted the netsuke I was wearing and was besotted. She had only ever read about these minute works of art, many of which are incredibly collectible. Most people aren't all too familiar with these little lovelies, so I was quite astonished that she recognised it at all! She proceeded to tell me about all of the different books she’d read on the topic, as well as about some netsuke she'd seen in person in museums. She had before, though, never actually seen one worn. Her passion was infectious, and in that moment, it felt as though the beauty and history of Japanese culture had bridged time and space, connecting two strangers.
To share sparks of excitement with others, like brightening that sweet lady's day, is a truly special feeling, and I hope to have many more of those moments going forward with Arashi House. After all, that’s what Arashi House is all about: finding a little beauty in the storms of life and sharing it with the world.
Japanese Netsuke (根付) with an inro (印籠) - OldJapan.org
As we close this conversation with Caitlin Spies, it’s clear that Arashi House is much more than a luxury boutique. It’s a passionate journey that bridges two worlds: South Africa and Japan. Caitlin’s devotion to cultural preservation, artistry, and education resonates not only through the pieces she offers but in the way she has cultivated a community of individuals eager to embrace Japanese traditions. Whether through kimono, kokeshi dolls, or the Arashi House workshops, this boutique is transforming the way South Africans connect with Japan.
In a world that often moves too fast, Arashi House reminds us of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the artistry of the past, and in doing so, creating something truly timeless. For those looking to connect with a piece of Japan, they offer an invitation to experience craftsmanship at its finest, while celebrating the connections that unite cultures, passions, and people... and we can't wait to see what comes next.
• Online Store: www.arashihouse.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/arashi.house
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/arashihouseboutique/
Our Nihongo no Niwa Insider Series celebrates the individuals who keep Japanese traditions alive and thriving in our country. Through their creativity, dedication, and love for their craft, they create spaces where people can experience the depth and richness of Japan—no passport required. Stay tuned for more stories from those shaping our local Japanese cultural scene!
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