Kawara Coaster / Tortoise Shell / Set of 5

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

Silkscreen-printed coasters on kyogawara tiles have various patterns floating on them which can add color to your desk or dining table!
You can enjoy them not only as coasters, but also as interior decorations such as pasting them on the wall or displaying them as they are. Please enjoy the sense of dignity that only tiles can provide!

*This product will be delivered in a 5 pieces that randomly selected from a number of designs. Please note that it is not possible to specify the design. (Due to the capability of manufacturing, it is not possible to create one by one)
*Please note that you may receive coasters with a design not shown in the image.

 Product History

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

Tiles were introduced to Japan at the end of the 6th century and developed uniquely in Japan due to increased demand from temple architecture. The subsequent establishment of the capital in 794 (Heian era) led to the flourishing of the Kyoto tile industry, and even today tiles are used in many places, mainly onigawara and eaves tiles, which are laid across the entire roof.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Masahisa Asada / Kyogawara
He is a craftsman who has been making Kyoto roof tiles in Kyoto since 1911. As the eldest son in the family, Mr. Asada is the third generation to develop and expand all kinds of products in addition to tiles for houses. He is taking on the challenge of fusing tiles with new objects, such as coasters and planters, to show the potential of roof tiles to all oer the world. Starting with the development of new products, Mr. Asada hopes for a future in which tiles in Japanese architecture will once again be appreciated.

Craftsman Passion

"We believe in the tile technology that has been handed down for over 1300 years and we will leave it to the next generation"
First of all, I believe it is important to have the perseverance to believe in this technique. If you give up, that's the end, and I think young people will see that. Instead of the old way of teaching the next generation with our backs, we will take videos and leave it to the next generation in a way that is easy to understand both visually and sensitively.

Achievement

Selected as one of Kyoto's long-established 100-year enterprises
Received Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize
They have received more 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

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

Length：9.5cm
Width：8.5cm
Thickness：0.6cm
Weight：66g

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