GATO MIKIO SHOUTEN

GATO MIKIO SHOUTEN's base is the Yamanaka Onsen district of Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Yamanaka lacquerware is made in this land — long home to many wood base artisans, said to boast Japan's top production volume of turned-wood bases. The accumulated regional techniques live on today as the vessels' "precision."

One major characteristic of Yamanaka lacquerware is expressing natural feel by leveraging wood grain — and vertical cutting, shaping the vessel in the direction the wood grows. This leads to robust vessels resistant to distortion from drying, becoming the foundation that supports not just bowls but also refined finishes like thin turning and lidded pieces.

Furthermore, "decorative turning" — adding patterns like sen-suji and ara-suji to the wood base — is also one of Yamanaka lacquerware's symbolic techniques. The expression detailed to the smallest part changes the impression of the vessel — from the feel when touched to how light catches the surface.

At the core of the finish is wiping lacquer. The more the work of applying and wiping off is repeated, the more a transparent luster increases and the wood grain rises vividly. GATO MIKIO SHOUTEN devotes effort to delivering the natural wood presence that only wiping lacquer can offer.

In product development, "Fueki Ryuko" is used as one guide — designing each series' character. For example, "TURARI" which proposes vessels where wave-like fluctuations appear when stacked; "AEKA" which captures curves and irregularities created by nature as design; "TSUMUGI" with a single line as concept. The technical foundation stays, but the "language of expression" changes.

Additionally, the brand has prepared GATO MIKIO LABORATORY — designed as an environment for young craftsmen — advancing place-making that envisions the crafts quality needed going forward, in collaboration with designers and engineers. Initiatives looking toward the producing region's future support the products' persuasiveness from behind.

Turned-wood heritage cultivated in the "town of wood bases" of Yamanaka Onsen

Yamanaka lacquerware is known as a producing area for turned-wood bases — with the craftsmanship of wood base artisans forming the core of the town. Vertical cutting, which shapes the vessel in the direction the wood grows, resists distortion from drying — characterized by easily balancing durability and refinement.

Wiping lacquer that draws out natural wood's outline and transparency

Wiping lacquer, which repeats applying and wiping off lacquer many times, increases a transparent luster the more times it's done — making the wood grain rise vividly. GATO MIKIO SHOUTEN cherishes the "presence of wood" unique to this finish.

Product making with "Fueki Ryuko" as a guide

Taking "Fueki Ryuko" (a phrase known from poet Matsuo Basho) as twin wheels of inherited techniques and expressions that change with the times, the brand proposes different uses, presences, and tactile qualities for each series. Placing "today's tools" as an extension of tradition is the appeal of the design.

Building an environment supporting young craftsmen's future

At GATO MIKIO LABORATORY, working from the workers' perspective and through joint work with designers and engineers, the brand has built an environment envisioning the quality of crafts needed going forward — designed as a workplace for young craftsmen who will support the next generation of Yamanaka lacquerware.