Ominato Bunkichi Shoten｜Modern and Stylish Folding Screens/Room Dividers As Interior Pieces

Brand

100 Years of Outstanding Craftsmanship Using Wood and Paper

Ominato Bunkichi Shoten

• Est. during the Meiji Period (1868-1912)
• Decorative "byobu" folding screens
  
• Yosuke Ominato

History

Rooted in the Traditions of Niigata Prefecture’s Kamo City, the Little Kyoto of the Hokuriku Region

Ominato Bunkichi Shoten was founded by Bunkichi Ominato in the early Meiji Period. Originally, it was a manufacturer and wholesaler of “shibugami,” waterproof paper used underneath tatami mats, which was made by treating washi paper (a traditional product of Kamo City) with astringent persimmon juice. Later, in the early Showa Period (1926-1989), the second-generation Bunkichi expanded the business into manufacturing and wholesaling “byobu” Japanese folding screens, combining the company’s expertise with paper with cabinet and fixture-making techniques developed in Kamo City. Soon, this union of paper and wood became the backbone of Ominato Bunkichi Shoten.

Characteristics

Folding Screens That Last for Centuries

“Byobu” folding screens are works of art created by skilled artisans using natural wood and washi paper. Some have lasted for years, retaining their shapes despite changes in temperature and humidity.

Ominato Bunkichi Shoten seeks to revive and popularize the art of byobu-making by utilizing the skills it has fostered over 100 years to create superior products that can be used as everyday interior decorations.

Recently, the company has been recognized for its outstanding wood processing technology. It has been called upon numerous times to create collaborative products featuring the Japanese superhero character Ultraman or portraits by the renowned bujinga (warrior painting) artist Masayuki Kojo.

Message to Customers

Meticulously Handcrafted One at a Time

As Japanese people embraced more Western lifestyles, byobu became thought of as things of the past. However, folding screens are actually functional, highly artistic furnishings, and Ominato Bunkichi Shoten is diligently developing new products in an effort to help people realize the beauty of byobu.

Although byobu and sudare (bamboo screens) are traditional Japanese furnishings, most people today have sadly only ever seen the cheap, mass-produced versions. To combat this, Ominato Bunkichi Shoten is committed to preserving the traditional techniques they have used since their founding, and continues to meticulously handcraft each of their products one at a time, refusing to sacrifice quality for quantity.