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Wakayama Hayashi Scissors | 2019.8.5
Not normal. That’s why it’s possible to do the unusual.
Mr. Nobuaki Hayashi, the representative of Hayashi Scissors, peddled to hairdressing salons all over the country by himself with his disability in order to develop new customers after went independent.
By listening to them, he succeeded in providing scissors that meet each customer's detailed requests, and many of his customers who were touched have become repeaters. -
Hokkaido GR COMPANY | 2019.7.17
Be A Japanese Cowboy
Mr. Hidetoshi Morii who represents GR COMPANY, decided to use natural resouce of Ezo Shika which was originated in Hokkaido, as a cowboy culture. Seven years after the concept came up with, his authentic deer antler chandeliers are spread nationwide, and keep illuminating.
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Aichi Yokoyama Kogyo | 2019.6.4
'Mono zukuri' changes the taste of a cocktail.
Mr. Tetsuya Yokoyama from Yokoyama Kogyo has developed a cocktail shaker using their company’s mastery of polishing technique. Visiting many bartenders on foot, he finally perfected the shaker after repeated improvements and confirmations. His shaker has changed the conventions of cocktail taste, leaving some bartenders speechless.
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Kagoshima Marutake Sangyo | 2015.12.18
‘A thing that protects’, Passing on the samurai spirit to the present age.
Mr. Shinobu Tanoue from Marutake Sangyo used to refurbish old, broken armor for display but not for sale and as people began to inquire about buying these items, he began to attract attention.
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Akita Namahage Menchoshi Mr. Senshu Ishikawa | 2019.4.8
Putting Fear and Beauty into the Namahage Mask.
Mr.Senshu Ishikawa is a second-generation sculptor of ‘Oga no Namahage’. These masks were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage items in 2018. Ishikawa pushes forward with his work every single day as a sole Namahage Mask engraver, while at the same time updating his predecessor's designs. -
Tochigi Kurosaki Kogei | 2015.10.05
When the three inquisitive minds of the parent and children get together, there’s strong ambition.
The eldest son and the second daughter followed their father’s path, but rejected their father's tough guidance. However, after realizing the masterful work of their father, they became determined to further improve as apprentices and as a family.
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Fukuoka Kagu Kobo Nishida | 2019.3.6
“I want to make furniture that is the one and only in the world”
All of the work created by Mr. Masayoshi Nishida, an Okawa furniture craftsman, are unique and imaginative. At first glance they look like art and, "I sometimes don't know whether I should put the emphasis on the art or on the furniture, but I am a craftsman after all." Mr. Nishida's work keeps overturning the concept of furniture. -
Tokyo Sangenshi Kikuoka | 2015.09.30
Tradition means to keep updating while inheriting the spirit.
Amid declining demand, he continues to seek ways to pass on this tradition. The driving force of Mr. Kono is nothing less than the passion of smart Edokko (Edoite) fascinated by the Shamisen.
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Iwate Tayama Tetsubin Kobo | 2015.06.22
The beauty of things that craftsmen create, the love and passion of those who live in this age.
In Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture, Mr. Kazuyasu Tayama has been a Nanbu Tekki (Nanbu iron kettle) craftsman for 50 years and founded his own workshop in 2011: the same year as The Great East Japan Earthquake.