Kyoto Suzuemon

Suzuemon is a specialty shop for tin ware, sakeware, and Japanese tableware in Oyamazaki-cho, Otokuni-gun, Kyoto Prefecture. Centered on vessels born from a workshop run by a Kyoto tin ware artisan, the shop widely develops dining-related tin tableware — guinomi, katakuchi (lipped bowls), tokkuri (sake flasks), beer tumblers, highball tumblers, wine glasses, plates and bowls, cup saucers, chopstick rests. Through the online shop, the shop delivers to sake-vessel and ware lovers nationwide.

All the tin ware handled is made of 99.9% pure tin. Characterized by soft silver tone, moderate weight, and texture that sticks to the hand. Many works have engraved patterns as Japanese traditional craft on the surface — harmonizing with diverse Japanese vessels like Wajima-nuri, Kutani-yaki, sometsuke, and kinrande — adding quality accents to the dining table.

Representative items include — guinomi with sharp form finishing the lip thinly, impressive paired guinomi with four legs, rock-glass-type or tumbler-type sakeware suited for beer and highball, and tin wine glasses for enjoying wine. From standard never-tiring simple designs to large plates and deep bowls with presence becoming the table's lead — a lineup that can be chosen matching use and preference is prepared.

Production, unlike industrial products by machine or division-of-labor systems by many craftspeople, is a style of one artisan making in small quantities. Although the quantity that can be made monthly is limited, in exchange, fine adjustments are added even to form, balance, mouthfeel, and the feeling when held — aiming for vessel making that can be used long. Aftercare to use with peace of mind long is also put into effort — including responding to re-polishing when surface cloudiness or scratches appear on delivered vessels.

On Suzuemon's official blog and SNS, beyond the appeal of tin ware, care methods, and how to combine with cuisine and drinks — proposals for various gift scenes are continuously shared: wedding gifts, silver wedding anniversaries, 60th-birthday celebrations, retirement gifts. Through pure tin sakeware and tableware, conveying the culture of carefully celebrating time and anniversaries with important people — that's one theme Suzuemon cherishes.

Vessel making using only 99.9% pure tin

The sakeware and tableware handled at Suzuemon are all produced using only 99.9% purity tin = pure tin. Characterized by the soft silver luster and mouthfeel unique to pure tin — not common alloy. Vessels with engraved patterns as Japanese traditional craft are loved as quality tableware that enhances washoku colors.

A Kyoto-Oyamazaki tin artisan, small-batch single-handed production

A tin artisan with a workshop in Kyoto-Oyamazaki preserves the style of handmaking one by one with heart. Unlike mass production by machine or division-of-labor systems — the number that can be made monthly is limited — but in exchange, vessels born as craft works are produced, where the artisan's commitment is reflected even in details like form, holding feel, and mouthfeel.

Pure tin sakeware for gifts coloring life's milestones

Suzuemon's sakeware and tableware are chosen — beyond home use — as gifts for various life milestones: birthdays, weddings, wedding anniversaries, 60th-birthday celebrations, retirement gifts. Vessels housed in paulownia boxes are favored as luxurious gifts — also introduced as pieces fitting special presents to parents and superiors.