Silver Sake Cup / Ichimatsu Crest

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This is a Guinomi (small cup) made of Sterling Silver.
The checkered pattern (Ichimatsu pattern) was struck 100,000 times before it was completed.

Meaning of design
The ichimatsu pattern has the meaning of prosperity because the pattern continues without interruption. Because of its meaning of "prosperity," the checkered pattern is favored by many people as a pattern of good omen, such as prosperity of descendants and expansion of business.

This square is made from a circle; one square is tapped about 50 times, and the corners of the circle are removed. Please watch the video below for more details.
The special sake cups are sure to make your daily evening drinks the best ever!
How about this product for a gift to someone who loves to drink?

 Product History

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

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Japan was once one of the world's two largest silver mines, and Japan was one of the world's largest silver producers. Around the 17th century, craftsmen called silversmiths were highly valued by feudal lords, and they were also active in making not only silverware but also portable shrines for festivals and hairpins for women, and the general public patronized a wide variety of items.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Kenichiro Izumi / Izumiken
A craftsman who has been making Tokyo silverware in Tokyo since 1979. After graduating from an art school, he travelled around Japan for a year. He sometimes delivered newspapers to earn money. During the time, he was thinking about his future and ended up with making silverware. The company is known for making not only silverware, but also rings, buckles and other products that are in tune with the modern age. Careful and detailed handwork fascinates those who seethe making process.

Craftsman Passion

"Throughout a conversation with silver, guide it to the shape it wants to be."
Silver can take on any form, and we place the utmost importance on how natural it can be. We are committed to creating products that are pleasant to use for both the silver and the customer.

Achievement

Received the World Gold Council Award at the All Japan Gold and Silver Creation Exhibition.
Received the President's Award of the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries.
Designated as a traditional craftsman.
They have 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：5.8cm
Depth：5.8cm
Height：4.6cm
Weight：75g

Material & Caution

Materials

Sterling Silver

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