Sake Cup / Versitile / Kisame

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

The rounded shape is reminiscent of the leaves and trunk of a tree, with gradations of wakagusa and chitose green applied to the sen-suji.
"Kisame" refers to the drops of water that collect on leaves and trunks, encouraging the growth of plants and flowers.
This kataguchi-guchi is poured into sake cups that resemble flowers of the four seasons, and the image is of them blooming with vigor and vitality.

Properties of Tin
It is said that tin makes a drink taste more mild and is maily used for drinking vessels because of its excellent heat and cold retention properties. It is also used for tea containers because of its excellent corrosion resistance and its ability to keep moisture away. This is why tin foil is applied to the inside of large tea boxes found in tea shops.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1300 years ago / 700AD / Nara period in Japan

Tinware and tinsmithing techniques were introduced to Japan from China 1,200 to 1,300 years ago, during the Asuka and Nara periods. In the 17th century, many tin masters were active in Osaka and other areas, and the culture of tinware production flourished. In the Satsuma region, where tin mines were also developed in the 17th century, tinware production flourished under the hands of tinners. In the Kanto region, tin makers also developed their own tin culture.

Only a small number of people, the aristocracy, were the first people to acquire tinware. In the Heian period (794-1185), aristocrats used tinware as tea pots with excellent sealing properties and as drinking vessels at court. In the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods, tinware became popular among wealthy samurai and merchants as tea and sake containers. From the Meiji to Taisho and Showa periods, tinware became widely used in ordinary households, even though it was a luxury item.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Keiichi Nakamura / Suzukou
My predecessor founded Suzukoin 1987. I entered the world of tin working under the tutelage of my predecessor.
Every day I watched and learned my predecessor's techniques up close, and at the same time, I learned about his passion for tin, his work, and the importance of tradition.
We have inherited from our predecessors not only the traditional handcrafted manufacturing methods, but also to pass them on to the next generation, and to strive to make tin more attractive to as many people as possible.

Craftsman Passion

"Dedicate to your one task, bright up a corner."
Tin has been found in the imperial court, shrines, and temples since ancient times, and it was also used by the common people during the Edo period. Tin has remained intact over the years until the present day. There is no doubt that tin was a suitable material for sake and tea utensils. We are proud to "light a corner" as one of the few workshops that specialize in tin with its special characteristics and make tinware by hand, making full use of the potter's wheel.

Achievement

Received "Grand Prize" in Saitama Prefecture New Product AWARD 2021.

 

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

Measurement

Width：7.3cm
Depth：7.3cm
Height：9.5cm
Weight：300g

Material & Caution

Materials

Tin

 

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 month for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.