Presenting the Kyomi Collection
A Curated World of Japanese Mastery.
Discover unique and exquisite objects crafted by Japan’s most revered artisans. Each piece in our collection tells a story of heritage, precision, and timeless beauty — curated for those who value authenticity and refined cultural expression.
new arrivals
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Hekisai Bowl – Kiyomizu Ware
$190.00
Suehiro Hachi Tsuru Kame
$350.00
Peacock (Kujaku)
$170.00
Ume Dome Box L Vermilion Red (shu)
$300.00
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Stream – Arita Ware
$135.00
The Great Wave off Kanagawa
$15800.00
Masu Magu
$145.00
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Yamada Heiando – Lacquered Cufflinks Checkered Pattern
$650.00
Gold and Silver Ice-Crack Cup
$200.00
takumi spotlight
An Interview with Shinya Hatakenaka, master craftsman in Echizen lacquerware painting
Kyomi Project's media team was granted an exclusive opportunity by Yamada Heiando Lacquerware to delve into the inner sanctum of master artisans in the birthplace of Echizen lacquerware, the town of Sabae. Join us on a captivating journey as we share with you insights gained from our unique conversations with these craftsmen in their sacred workshops.
When I think back on our encounter with Shinya Hatakenaka, the first thing I remember is how much of a natural teacher he was.
Faced with a team of young foreigners armed with eager cameras and minimal knowledge of Japanese, Mr. Hatakenaka guided us around the entire two-storied workshop and did his best to explain every minute detail of the production process. Human hair brushes, revolving wooden contraptions, and tins of red powder were brought out for us to study, the purpose and etymology of each piece carefully brought to light. It was a bit like observing the insides of a living museum, each tool and material a narrator of a rich, cultural tapestry.
With his down-to-earth generosity, it’s almost possible to forget that he’s a second-generation master artisan, handcrafting lacquerware products for distinguished patrons, including Japan’s royal family. However, this wasn’t always the case. After graduating high school, Mr. Hatakenaka worked in a different company for 20 years while his younger brother was the main craftsman in the team. It was only after the latter got married and started his own business that Mr Hatakenaka returned to continue his father’s artisanal legacy, himself an award-winning master in the field. After 8 years of craftsman training, he is now in charge of middle-layer lacquer coating — of adding that first layer of vivid color to each hand-carved bowl, thereby infusing life into a painstaking team effort. As the main spokesperson for the team, Mr Hatakenaka is now renowned for the consistent quality of the round bowls he paints.
When speaking to the craftsmen, I noticed that they often stressed the importance of quality control in differentiating artisans and artists. In the realm of traditional Japanese crafts, the artisan’s work is ultimately an act of labor, and the ability to dedicate yourself to consistent perfection is often prized beyond ‘spur-of-the-moment genius’. Yet, when questioned about his work philosophy, Mr. Hatakenaka reconciles the two in his discovery of the “artisan’s spark”. It was during another cycle of this endless painting and polishing, he explains, that he “suddenly felt like he was doing something very well”. It was a fleeting moment, but that spark formed the basis of his future artistic vision. “With the repetitiveness of the job, it’s a precious moment all artisans should feel,” he said. He described it as the intangible motivation to improve and try new techniques, paradoxically borne from the repetition needed to attain technical perfection. As a gateway to discovering one’s artistic style, the spark creates space for innovation and personal style to flourish, especially vital in a deeply traditional industry. “I learned from my dad. I learned his style, the way he paints,” he said. “But I did it a bit differently.”
As we delved into the heritage of his work, his narrative was echoed by monochrome photographs framed along the room. The legacy of Echizen lacquerware is long and lustrous, and the responsibility that comes with continuing it is something Mr Hatakenaka is keenly aware of. “My father’s time was called the ‘high growth economy’ or the ‘bubble economy’,” he reflected. “In that time, if you could paint, you could make money. Now we’re not living in that era, not even the tiniest speck of dust can be found in the bowl.” In other words, today’s market not only appreciates but demands absolute perfection. Quality control, he stressed, is critical. “I want to create something reminiscent of ancient times, and I hope my skills can live up to the name of Echizen lacquerware.” That’s why every single detail in the painting process matters — from the ratio of oxidized powder to Urushi lacquer used in the paint, to the texture and shape of each brush, to the rotating machine used to dry the paint out evenly. Although the lacquerware was never made with global popularity in mind, he finds deep joy in customers’ assurance in his skill and expertise, regardless of whether this comes from local or foreign patrons.
In light of the declining traditional crafts scene,their work stands as a beacon of perseverance and adaptation. “There aren’t many craftsmen, and this industry is going out of business,” he laments. “That’s why we put in a lot of effort for Echizen lacquerware.” As a mentor to younger artisans, he decided that it was no longer effective for students to passively observe him at work. He now guides them with a more hands-on learning approach, encouraging them to repeat the process till they create their own style. After all, much of the art is unique to its creator; the base coating of each bowl differs depending on the artisan doing it, and the shape of the brush is personalized to the craftsman’s preferences. At the end of the day, this human touch is what makes traditional craftsmanship irreplaceable. In the face of evolving technology and consumer manufacturing, Mr. Hatanekata believes that every category of crafts will have its place in the world, be it trendy manufactured goods or classical crafts. “Everyone is just trying to survive in their own way. Every category has its strengths and market,” he said. “And there will always be a need for this traditional style.”
As we stepped out of the workshop, we concluded a journey into the soul of a culture, carrying with us a renewed appreciation for the enduring spirit of traditional craftsmanship. As a small tribute to his life’s work, Kyomi pays homage to Mr. Hatakenaka’s role as custodian of a timeless art form, inviting you to support the world of Japanese crafts and preserve the flames of a rich artistic legacy.
artisan collection
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make a personal statement
takumi spotlight
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Legacy Illuminated: Tokodo's Historic Journey In Japanese Craftsmanship
Founded in 1936 by Sumio Yoshioka, Tokodo is a family-run beacon of Japanese ceramics, nestled in the vibrant streets of Akasaka. Personally curated by the Yoshioka family, this emporium features the finest tableware from all over Japan, especially cities renowned for their artisanal prowess such as Kyoto and Ishikawa. Bestowed with the Royal Warrant in 1949, Tokodo has adorned over 20,000 royal events with its exquisite pieces. Nonetheless, its charm extends beyond regal realms and enchants both households and professionals alike, featuring as a popular choice in gifts for special events.
Recently, Kyomi had the privilege of delving into the world of Soichiro Yoshioka, Tokodo’s visionary business representative and grandson of its founder. We asked him about the joys and tribulations of managing a family legacy, how Tokodo has evolved over the years, and the wisdom gleaned from steering his company. Join us in exploring the inner workings of this illustrious ceramics haven.
Tokodo and Social Change
Amidst the serene aisles of Tokodo, where each ceramic piece gleams with a museum-like story, one can easily envision a clientele of emperors and princesses. However, when asked about Tokodo’s clientele, Mr Yoshioka reveals that it consists mostly of corporate clients such as restaurants and ryotei (料亭) — traditional restaurants historically associated with professional meetings, geisha performances, and by-invite-only entry. In the sophisticated neighborhood of Akasaka, known for its museums and top-rated nightlife, ryoteis have played a significant role in its cultural tapestry, and their history is intimately entwined with the development of Tokodo. “When ryotei restaurants were prosperous, they were busy from 5:00 or 6:00pm, and I used to see employees going over there to deliver missing glasses or plates,” Mr Yoshioka reminisced. “Originally, there were many ryotei restaurants in Akasaka, about 100 big and small ones, but now there are only about one handful.”
This evolution resonates in the changing dynamics of Japanese families. For individual consumers, Mr Yoshioka has observed a shift in consumer behavior that mirrors the shrinking size of Japanese households. “Most of our products for individual customers now cater to the nuclear family,” he remarked. “In the past, we sold almost all of our tableware in sets of five. But that is no longer the case. We are now selling almost all of our tableware in single pieces and by the bulk to meet the changing needs of our customers.” This adaptation is not just a response to domestic changes but also to the growing popularity of Japanese tableware on the global stage. “Since the number of inbound customers is increasing, we try to stock items that are likely to be liked by foreigners, and if it works well, we may add more items to the series,” Mr Yoshioka said.
For restaurateurs, Tokodo offers a canvas of customization, blending their culinary vision with unique ceramic creations. Tokodo considers their budget, decides on pieces that would complement the restaurant, and makes one-of-a-kind creations to adorn their food. “If you’re a restaurant owner and you go to a sushi restaurant, and you see the same plates everywhere you go, you might say, "We want to make something special”. We can do that kind of thing at low cost,” Mr Yoshioka said. Indeed, besides restaurants within Japan such as Sushi Miyazono and Kaiseki Tsujidome, Tokodo has partnered with a wide variety of foreign restaurants, supplying them with the finest works of Japanese craftsmanship. If you enjoy Japanese restaurants with a flair for beautiful tableware, you may have even seen a piece or two.
Running the Family Business
Continuing the legacy of an 88-year-old family business is no mean feat, but Mr Yoshioka handles it with grace and confidence. His childhood, steeped in the legacy of his grandparents, was a prelude to his eventual stewardship of Tokodo. “I lived with my grandparents for a long time when I was little, and they told me that I was going to inherit the store,” he told Kyomi. “But my parents never told me that directly. So my intentions were, until I entered the company I would do as I pleased.” Reflecting on his work in the US, where he lived for three and a half years, as well as his experience in various industries, he brings a rich tapestry of knowledge to the business. “My brother is more of a craftsman, and he knows a lot about [ceramic production]. He knows a lot about history, too,” he explained. “So we separate the business side of things with the artisanal side of it, and I handle the business side.” This symbiotic relationship between the business and artisanal aspects of Tokodo is a clear testament to the balance between tradition and modernity they have perfected.
Mr. Yoshioka spoke candidly about the complexities of a family-run enterprise. Despite sharing a unified vision for Tokodo’s future, he acknowledged the daily dance of differing opinions. “Even though it is a family-run business, we still need to have a bird's eye view of the company, or rather, of our private life,” he detailed. “I don't want us to mix our private and public lives.” This philosophy extends to maintaining a professional equilibrium with his brother, especially during familial gatherings. “Especially since my parents are with us, we have family gatherings during the New Year and New Year's holidays. So we’re always together throughout the year,” he said. “So regardless of whether we’re in the office or at a restaurant, I try to tell myself to be a little more relaxed.”
Our journey through the world of Tokodo and the insights of Soichiro Yoshioka weave a narrative of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring legacy of Japanese ceramics. As we step back from its gleaming tableware, we carry with us a story of a family's devotion to craftsmanship, the rhythmic pulse of tradition, and the evolving cadence of modernity. In the hands of the Yoshioka family, Tokodo stands not just as a store, but as a testament to the timeless sophistication and cultural significance of Japanese ceramics.
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