Hakuichi (HAKUICHI)

The Tradition and Innovation of Kanazawa Gold Leaf — What Is "Hakuichi," the Lifestyle Creation Company?

"Kanazawa Haku" (gold leaf) is a traditional craft of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. "Hakuichi (HAKUICHI)" is a comprehensive manufacturer that has continuously communicated the appeal of Kanazawa gold leaf across diverse fields — from gold leaf production to crafts, architectural decoration, food, and even cosmetics — since its founding in 1975.

In the past, the gold leaf industry operated on the convention of "supplying only the material." Hakuichi broke that convention by establishing a "manufacturer-retailer" style in which it plans, manufactures, and sells products itself. Under the philosophy of "building on tradition, toward a new Japanese craft," it proposes a beautiful and new "Haku lifestyle" that fits contemporary living, earning high acclaim both in Japan and abroad.

Representative Brands & Series

Hakuichi leverages the beauty and functionality of Kanazawa gold leaf to develop a wide range of brand lines, from everyday items to beauty products. Here we introduce some of the most representative series.

Gold Leaf Cosmetics "KINKA"

Born in 2006 as a spin-off from the smash hit "oil-blotting paper made by the gold-leaf-beating method" — the first of its kind developed in Japan by Hakuichi — KINKA is a cosmetics brand that luxuriously incorporates pure, beautiful gold leaf. Combined with moisturizing ingredients such as proteoglycan and plant extracts, it brings rich hydration and elasticity to the skin.
With a commitment to being paraben-free, fragrance-free, and color-free, and with its visually gorgeous appearance, it remains a long-selling series enormously popular as a gift and as a souvenir at home and abroad.

Kanazawa Gold Leaf Crafts & Oil-Blotting Paper

Tableware and interior goods that shine with the skills of master artisans are perfect for special-day hospitality or as gifts.
Also, Hakuichi\'s signature product, the oil-blotting paper, is the ultimate item — made using high-quality natural hemp and applying the techniques used when beating gold leaf. Its quality, which gently absorbs only excess sebum while remaining kind to the skin, has been loved by many women for years, with cumulative sales of over 200 million booklets.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hakuichi

Q. Where can I purchase the products?

A. They are available at the official online shop, as well as at directly managed stores in Kanazawa City.
In addition to direct sales through the official online shop (hakuichi.jp / kinka-cosmetics.jp), you can pick up products in person at directly managed stores in Kanazawa City (the main store Hakkokan, the Higashiyama Store, and the Kanazawa Station Hyakubangai Store, etc.). The gold leaf cosmetics brand "KINKA" is also widely available at department store events nationwide and at airport duty-free shops.

Q. Is the gold leaf used in the cosmetics safe to apply to the skin?

A. Yes, it blends smoothly into the skin, so you can use it with confidence.
Gold leaf is hammered to the extreme thinness of one ten-thousandth of a millimeter, so when rubbed into the skin with lotion or cream, it becomes invisible. In recent years, research by specialized institutions has revealed that "gold" supports skin moisture retention and elasticity, drawing attention as an excellent beauty ingredient.

Q. Why is its "oil-blotting paper" so famous?

A. Because Hakuichi was the pioneer that first developed oil-blotting paper using the "gold-leaf-beating method" in Japan.
It applies a special washi paper technique used for hammering gold leaf thinly. Just touching it gently to the skin absorbs sebum to a surprising degree, and that high quality sparked a nationwide oil-blotting paper boom.