Paperweight / Onigawara Ogre Tile / Indigo

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This product is a combination of traditional Sanshu Onigawara techniques and innovative ideas that match the modern age. It can be used as a paperweight, but it can also be used as an interior decoration, such as placed around a desk or in an entranceway.
Onigawara were originally decorated on roofs as a guardian deity of buildings, so they are ideal as a lucky charm for your home. Why don't you pick one up and feel the goodness of Onigawara?

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：300 years ago / 1700AD / Edo period in Japan

The region of Sanshu has been known as one of the three major tile-producing regions since the Edo period (1603-1867). The eighth shogun (Conqueror of Japan), Tokugawa Yoshimune, encouraged tile production and the industry flourished as a local industry. The region's geographical proximity to the sea also made transportation more efficient, and the region expanded its sales channels to Tokyo, where it now boasts the highest production volume of roof tiles in Japan.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Ryo Suzuki / Onifuku
A craftsman who has been making Sanshu Onigawara at a long-established tile workshop in Aichi Prefecture since 1916. He graduated from a science university and wanted to work in research sector but decided to take over the family business because he thought he would regret it for the rest of his life if the family business were to disappear.

Craftsman Passion

"Seeking new forms without being bound by materials"
While the demand for roof tiles has been decreasing year by year due to the trend of the times, we would like to find the potential of Sanshu Onigawara which is the fruit of traditional techniques cultivated over a long history. I continue to produce products that match the modern age, such as tissue cases and wind chimes.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Kintsugi Insurance Service：Eternal Product Life

What is Kintsugi: Explanation and PICTURE

Kintsugi is one of the traditional skills in Japan repairing broken ceramics or glass. Broken part will be mended with lacquer and the product will get more beautiful look with covering gold/silver on the area of breakage.

Cost for Kintsugi Insurance

Our selling price includes Kintsugi Insurance (Only in the case of kintsugi available products such as Ceramics). Once our products are broken, please let us know and send it to Japan. Your product will be back to your home with upgrading beautiful outlook!

Delivery Fee

Although Kintsugi itself is free as an insurance service, delivery fee will be owned by customers each time. However, it will worth using this kintsugi service since the story between you and products will continue!

Measurement

Width：6.5cm
Depth：2.5cm
Height：6cm
Weight：140g

Material & Caution

Materials

Clay

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about a week for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.