OTO CHOCHIN / Checkered Pine

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This is a hand-painted lantern that lights up the sound exclusively for smartphones.
The lights and sounds of the lanterns create a special moment by illuminating the screen of your smartphone while playing music or projecting a music video. All designs are freehand painted by craftsmen. Please enjoy the music and light performance at home.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：400 years ago / 1600AD / Edo period in Japan

It was originally a "hibukuro" which was simply a bamboo frame to which Japanese paper was affixed. In the Edo period (1603-1868) became a bellows-type lantern that could be folded up and down and also had a handle as it is the case today. Chochin were used not only for lighting, but also for greeting and signaling in the Edo period.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Kenichiro Murata / Namidabashi Lantern Studio
He is the fourth generation working in a workshop that has been making Edo hand-painted lanterns in Tokyo for generations since 1913. He entered the family business after various experiences including airplane design and patissier. The hand-drawn characters are unique, thick and chunky so that they can be easily seen from a distance. He can write English on lantern as well as Japanese Kanji characters!

Craftsman Passion

"I continue to practice diligently every day, every year"
I still think my handwriting is terrible. However, at the end of each year I compare my handwriting with the beginning of the year and realize that my handwriting is getting better. I believe that small efforts every day will shorten the distance to the ideal, and I create lanterns every day so that it will reach the ideal one.

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

Diameter : 11.8cm X 26cm
Weight : 240g

Material & Caution

Materials

Japanese paper
Stainless steel
Fiberboard

Caution

Individual Difference

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

Made to Order

Basically, as this product is made to order, it takes about a month from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.