Shikki no Asobe (Asobe Lacquerware)

On the "About Asobe" page, the current president (8th generation), Hiroshi Asobe, explains that there are relatively few specialty shops dealing exclusively in lacquerware, and that Asobe offers more than 1,000 items in its compact showroom near Shijo-Karasuma. The site renewal has turned what was once mainly an informational homepage into a platform where customers from all over Japan can also purchase products online.

The corporate profile lists the company name as ASOBE KOUGEI Co., Ltd., with a head office building on Shijo-dori and the main shop showroom at 47-5 Moto-Akuoji-cho, Higashinotoin-dori Shijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. The business description is "manufacture, sale and repair of lacquerware," and the shop is open from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Wednesdays, during the Obon holidays and over the New Year period.

The history section describes how the business began with the first-generation founder Uemon and has continued for more than two centuries. From the Meiji to Taisho eras, the shop operated under the name "Asobeya," maintaining a workshop in Kyoto and holding exhibitions at department stores to sell its own lacquerware. After World War II, the previous master lacquerer, Takayoshi Asobe, opened a shop on Shijo-dori (the current head-office building), ushering in a new era for the company.

Under the name "Shikki no Asobe," the company has since grown into a specialist shop that handles carefully selected pieces from all over Japan, drawing on the strict eye of experienced lacquer artisans. Located on Shijo-dori, the main street of Kyoto, the shop has been fostered by sophisticated customers, including people from the traditional arts and famous kaiseki and ryotei restaurants across Japan, and its tableware is used in many hospitality settings.

Messages on the site titled "With Kyo-shikki" and "Lacquerware in daily life" emphasize that Kyo-shikki is a form of Japanese tableware with a history of about 1,200 years, made from natural wood and the sap of lacquer trees. The texts highlight the light weight of wood, the antibacterial properties of lacquer, the ability to repair and use items for decades, and the gentle feel of lacquer on the hand and lips, suggesting that lacquerware is both practical and deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Through its online shop and various product categories, Asobe proposes lacquerware for many situations: formal gifts such as congratulatory and commemorative items, longevity celebrations like kanreki or koki, seasonal gifts for Mother's Day or store openings, and casual gifts or personal items for everyday use. At the same time, projects like the lacquered care spoon show how the company is exploring new ways for traditional craft to contribute to modern lifestyles and welfare fields.

Over 200 years of history in Kyo-shikki

According to the official site and related introductions, Asobe was founded in 1807 and has continued lacquerware production over eight generations. The company, ASOBE KOUGEI Co., Ltd., is based in Kyoto and runs a main showroom on Higashinotoin-dori just south of Shijo-dori, specializing in Kyo-shikki lacquerware and offering manufacturing, sales and repair services.

A wide selection for gifts, celebrations and daily use

The top page and online shop introduce product categories such as congratulatory items, souvenirs, longevity celebration gifts, general gift items, lacquerware for daily life and a curated "Ippinkan" selection. Customers can choose from bowls, cups, trays, bento boxes, tea caddies, jewelry boxes and more, suitable for occasions ranging from weddings and promotions to birthdays, anniversaries and everyday dining.

Traditional craft combined with functional design

In addition to traditional tableware and interior pieces, Asobe has also taken part in the development of a lacquered wooden care spoon, working with medical professionals, designers and a local industrial technology center. The project focuses on both ease of eating and aesthetic appeal, showing how traditional lacquer techniques can be applied to welfare and healthcare-related products.