Light 001

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This andon (lamp with a paper shade) is made using the Edo Kumiko technique.
The upper section has a diamond shape with a lucky pattern called "turtle shell" on its four sides. The lower section is made of beautifully grained Yakusugi cedar. The works produced by the "hands" of craftsmen who insist on handmade products are full of the charm of wood, such as the pure aroma, the smooth surface of wood, and the patterns created by fine wood chips. We hope you will enjoy Japanese lights.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1400 years ago / 600AD / Yamato period in Japan

Kumiko is made not only in Tokyo, but all over Japan. The crafts called "Edo Kumiko" just because it is made in Edo (current Tokyo). In Japan, there is the world's oldest wooden building, Horyu-ji Temple, which has such a long history of using kumiko that it was built 1,400 years ago.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Takahiro Tanaka / Tatematsu
In 1982, he became the second generation of Edo Kumiko craftsmen at Tatematsu, a company established in Tokyo by his father, a master craftsman. He is a qualified first-class architect and used to work for an urban planning consultant company. He is now applying his knowledge as an architect to the development of new, unprecedented products.

Craftsman Passion

"I really enjoy thinking and create something that combines tradition and practicality"
While my work does not allow even a 0.1mm error to make perfect crafting, I always think the ideas need to have flexibility. It is definitely true that I need to produce within the rules, but I also want to create a series of products that answer the needs of today with free thinking.

Achievement

Received the Skill Prize at the Edogawa Ward Traditional Craft Exhibition
Winner of the Board of Education Award at the Edogawa Ward Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Received the Board of Education Award at the Edogawa Ward Traditional Craft Exhibition
He has received many other awards for their work.

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：20cm
Depth：20cm
Height：37cm
Weight：2,500g

Material & Caution

Materials

Yakushima cedar
Kiso hinoki
Jindai cedar

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.

Manufacturing Process