Cherishing everyday tools
is cherishing everyday life.

Don’t you want to fill your life with subtle moments of joy amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life? Why not add sparks of joy to break the routine, especially now that we spend more time indoors? Fleeting moments like these bring a true sense of satisfaction.

One way of doing this is by surrounding yourself with carefully-chosen items.
Clothes, interior items and kitchen tools.
Given that they’re always by your side, wouldn’t you like to choose items that reflect your preferences rather than merely their appearance or practicality?

Just like the comforting feeling of spending time with loved ones, being surrounded by your favorite items can nourish your heart.
These items require daily care, but that might also be a way of cherishing them.

Cherishing everyday tools is cherishing everyday life.
Living mindfully with the things you love can make you feel a bit proud of yourself for using them. I wish to continue embracing my true self while living each day to the fullest.

Sakai’s History and Traditional Industry

Sakai City in Osaka, known for the phrase‘everything begins from Sakai’, is recognized as the cradle of Japanese history and culture. Tracing back to the fifth century, the burial mounds represented by the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku) were constructed. During this period, many craftsmen settled in Sakai producing iron tools such as hoes and plows, laying the foundation for the later development of technology and culture. In the 16th century, it prospered as a center of Japan-Ming trade and the Nanban Trade. To this day, various traditional industries such as ‘knives’, ‘chusen’ (dyeing technique), ’wazarashi’ (bleached cotton fabric) and ‘incense’ have been passed down by skilled craftsmen.

Sakai Forged Knives・Sakai Knives

The exceptionally sharp ‘Sakai forged knives’ are cherished among many professional chefs. Its origin lies in ‘tobacco knives’ to cut tobacco leaves which were introduced from Portugal in the 16th century.

Its sharpness earned such a reputation that the shogunate decided to sell them with the ‘Sakai Kiwame’ mark engraved on them. This craftsmanship eventually extended to single-edged blade kitchen knives.

Most of the procedures are carried out by skilled craftsmen. A technique called ‘tanzou’ is used to heat and forge soft iron and steel by hammering and shaping it. By repeatedly hammering the material, its density increases, resulting in a blade with exquisite sharpness, durability and beauty.

Even delicate ingredients like sashimi can be sliced without damaging their fibers and cell membranes, preserving the delicious flavors and maintaining the texture. Additionally, the ingredients slide off the blade with ease, making this another highly valued aspect.

Chusen・Wazarashi

Cotton cultivation has thrived in the Senshu region since ancient times. The Tsukuno and Kena regions through which the Ishizugawa River runs were known as main production sites for ‘Wazarashi’. This traditional bleaching method involves heating cotton fabric in a kiln for two to three days, followed by washing it in the gentle flow of the river to remove any oil or impurities.

In the present day, work is done using factory boilers and pumps, but until the mid-Showa period, fabric was washed with river water and sun-dried on riverbanks. Careful craftsmanship ensures consistent quality, producing fabric that is soft to the touch and highly water-absorbent.

And so, the technique of hand-pouring dye into fabric called ‘chusen’ was born, originating in Osaka around 1887. It gained nationwide popularity after winning an award at the National Industrial Exhibition in 1903. Following World War II, dyeing businesses relocated from Osaka to Sakai, which led to it becoming rooted as Sakai’s traditional industry.

A barrier is created on the fabric with starch, and dye is poured into this space to color both the front and back, allowing the dye to penetrate the thread. This process results in a rich, textured finish with vivid colors and natural gradations unique to hand-dyeing.

Today, the chusen technique is applied to a wide range of products including tenugui (wash cloth), yukata (casual kimono), parasols, Hawaiian shirts and coasters.

Incense

At the end of the 16th century, the production method was brought over from China, leading to the creation of Japan's first incense.

Back then, Sakai was a prosperous free city and the largest overseas trading port in Japan. It was such a vibrant and thriving city that foreign missionaries described it as ‘a large and prosperous town, not only flourishing in commerce but also a bustling market for interacting countries’.

In such a way, Sakai had easy access to raw materials for incense production, and it was often referred to as ‘Sennan Bukkoku’, indicating its abundance of temples, second to Kyoto and Nara. These factors contributed to Sakai being one of the first cities to begin incense production.

Sakai's incense is defined by its carefully selected blend of natural fragrances and is regarded as an aromatic work of art.

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