Brand
The entire process is created by one person.
Okeya Kondo
- 2009
- Kyo Sashimono (Joinery)
- Taichi Kondo
History
Meet Japan's Living National Treasures
I have been studying under Mr. Kiyotsugu Nakagawa, a living national treasure of "woodcraft" for 7 years since 2002, learning the art of making vats and barrels as a craftsman.
I still remember how impressed and numb I was the moment I first saw my master at work.
At first, I was not even called an apprentice, and I was 29 years old, which was a late start for a craftsman, so I worked very hard to devote myself to my work.
In 2009, I became independent and established my own workshop, Okeya Kondo, in Kyoto.
I carry out the entire production process by myself.
Using high quality Japanese cedar and sawara, each tub is handcrafted one by one, and is characterized by its clean appearance and beautiful wood grain.
This is an excellent product that can be used for a long time.
Characteristic
The pure appearance, the beauty of the wood grain.
My sashimono products are made without any painting, respecting the texture of the white wood.
For this reason, they are characterized by the clean appearance of the material and the beauty of the wood grain.
With the spread of plastic and enamel technology, tubs have become less of a daily necessity and more of a craft, and the number of tub makers in Kyoto alone has dwindled from about 300 to only a few.
To ensure that the tubs can be used for decades to come, I am very particular about the selection of the wood, and spend less than a year preparing the materials according to the changes of the seasons.
Because of its simple structure, it is made so that it can continue to be used while being repaired and maintained.
Get your hands on a favorite piece that will last a lifetime.
For Customers
A product that can be used continuously because of its simplicity
These days, many people are probably not used to seeing a tub in their daily lives.
However, there are many long-time fans of our products who have been using them for a long time and want us to repair them or recreate the same ones for them.
Because of its simplicity, the tub is easy to use, and with maintenance, it can be used for a lifetime.
The elegant Kyoto tubs with lightly rounded surfaces are light and you can feel the craftsman's attention to detail when you touch them with your hands.
The materials used for the taggers, such as silver, copper, and bamboo, will become shiny and beautiful over time if used well for many years.
I hope that you will enjoy using our products for many years to come.
Award
2016 "Kyo Sashimono" Traditional Craftsman