KOBO Seattle | since 1995

About Us


which translates from Japanese as "artist's workspace," is an artisan gallery featuring Japanese and Northwest fine crafts. KOBO specializes in both traditional and contemporary works, offering a selection of objects and functional forms in clay, fiber, metal, wood, textile, and paper. KOBO also exhibits the work of small studio artisans from the U.S. and abroad who share a similar affinity with Japanese folk arts and contemporary design.

KOBO Capitol Hill first opened its doors in 1995 featuring the work of small studio artisans of Japan and the functional work of Northwest artists. Exhibits are scheduled 6 times each year showing carefully selected examples of fine craftsmanship and design. KOBO is a desire for a quality of life that is defined not by the accumulation of things but rather a paring down to the essentials. In a world of limited natural resources we hope to provide a hint of inspiration, respite and a reminder of the human hands that go into making the things we surround ourselves with.

KOBO at Higo is our second shop and gallery space, located in Seattle's historic Japantown, in the International District. KOBO occupies the former home of Higo Variety Store, which was run by the Murakami family continuously for 75 years. Binko Chiong-Bisbee and John Bisbee, an architect who has worked in Tokyo, New York and Seattle realized a dream to expand KOBO into a larger space. Exhibits featuring art, craft and design are scheduled 6 times a year. KOBO at Higo continues the tradition of our original shop,  showcasing the latest work by the artists and designers which make KOBO unique. An event space is used for book readings, gallery talks, special events and larger exhibitions. KOBO at Higo maintains much of the flavor of the old variety store by utilizing its vintage fixtures, including 1930s glass cases unearthed from the Higo storeroom. Uncovered treasures include classic tin toys, an electric train set and antique cash registers, which are displayed in the refurbished space. A museum wall display and the "Meet Me at Higo" installation created by the Wing Luke Museum is also featured to tell the history of Higo Ten Cents Store in Japantown.

For more information about what we've been up to, please check out our Latest News section.

PRESS

June 2024

An Insiders' Guide to Seattle's Chinatown -- Where to Eat, Drink, and Visit
By Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, June 7, 2024
https://www.travelandleisure.com/insiders-guide-to-seattle-chinatown-where-to-eat-drink-visit-8651701

April 2021

These Century-Old Businesses Define Seattle’s Japantown
By Naomi Tomky, Conde Nast Traveler
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/these-century-old-businesses-define-seattles-japantown 

February 2019 

Binko Chiong-Bisbee and John Bisbee reimagined the landmark Higo Variety Store as an art gallery and shop.
By Rosin Saez, Seattle Met Magazine, March 2019 issue
https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2019/02/kobo-at-higo-marries-modern-day-japantown-with-its-past


May 2014
Totokaelo's Jill Wenger for mentioning KOBO on her list of favorite Seattle eating and shopping haunts in The New York Times.
By Jill Wenger, NEW YORK TIMES
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/tmagazine/2014/05/22/totokaelo-jill-wenger-on-seattle-restaurants-coffee-nearby-getaways-seward-park-travel/

September 2008
A small piece of Japantown preserved
Memories of fading era live in historical district

By Kery Murakami, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/381134_noparking30.html

April 2008
Savoring the delights of Japantown and the hands-on Kubota Gardens
By LISA STIFFLER, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
http://www.seattlepi.com/getaways/358181_shorttrips10.html

October 2006
Cultural anthropologist tells Japantown's bittersweet history through candy
By FLORANGELA DAVILA, SEATTLE TIMES STAFF REPORTER
https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20061006&slug=japantown06

January 2006
Go to Kobo at Higo for the artisan goods and leave with a history lesson
By NICOLE TSONG, SEATTLE TIMES STAFF REPORTER
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060114&slug=windowshopkobo14 

December 2004
Old store yielding treasures from past
By STUART ESKENAZI, SEATTLE TIMES STAFF REPORTER
Stuart Eskenazi: seskenazi@seattletimes.com
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20041213&slug=higo13m

December 2004
Retail Notebook: Kobo at Higo is a peaceful marriage of past, present
By KRISTEN MILLARES BOLT, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/202316_retail04.html

KOBO at Higo Opening November 2004 Press Release
https://koboseattle.com/pages/kobo-at-higo-opening-november-2004-press-release

Historylink.org
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9094