Ichiwadou Kogei

Yashima-Higashi-machi, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. At the foot of Yashima jutting into the Seto Inland Sea — there are Ichiwadou Kogei's workshop and store. This is one of the production regions of "Kagawa lacquerware" — Kagawa Prefecture's representative traditional craft. Since starting lacquerware manufacturing in the Taisho period — Ichiwadou Kogei has continued lacquerware making across generations.

For over 100 years from founding — at the workshop — while inheriting Kagawa lacquerware's representative techniques like Zokoku-nuri and Goto-nuri — also challenging making things matched to the times. Of course traditional items like udon bowls, soup bowls, individual plates, trays, and jubako — also proposing many lacquerware pieces usable in modern living scenes — like cups, trays, and accessories committed to color and shape.

In recent years — also developing products elaborating on materials and expression: the "Iro-Urushi" series collaborated with Kagawa designers and famous furniture designer Makoto Koizumi — and "hanabi" using fireworks shell skin. Light and colorful lacquerware not bound by conventional lacquerware images — also drawing attention from younger generations.

Furthermore — Ichiwadou Kogei — also focusing on lacquer's antibacterial properties and safety — also working on vessel making usable with peace of mind by elderly and children. Toys leveraging lacquer said to be safe even when put in the mouth, and vessels considering holdability and lightness — characteristic of product development from perspectives accompanying living. Through lacquerware usage Q&A and care videos — softening the image that "lacquerware is for special days" — aiming for casual enjoyment at daily dining tables.

At the online shop "Ichiwadou Kogei NET SHOP" — diverse Kagawa lacquerware made at the workshop is introduced — divided by scene, category, and designer. From daily-use vessels — to gifts for celebrations, naming, and longevity — to vessels enjoyed with Sanuki udon and Wasanbon — proposals matched to use are also prepared. Going forward — Ichiwadou Kogei will continue transmitting Kagawa lacquerware that incorporates new sensibility while rooted in tradition — from the foot of Yashima — conveying the fun of living with lacquerware.

100+ years since founding — a long-established Kagawa lacquerware maker

Ichiwadou Kogei is a long-established maker that has continued making Kagawa lacquerware for over 100 years — since the first generation started the lacquerware manufacturing business in the 1910s. At the foot of Yashima — while cherishing "real technique" and "the warmth that only the real exudes" inherited over long years — proposing lacquerware matched to modern living.

Kagawa lacquerware techniques into daily vessels — a diverse lineup

Multi-purpose bowls (udon bowls, soba vessels), soup bowls, individual plates and dishes, cups and yunomi, trays and o-zen, sweets vessels and serving bowls, chopsticks and cutlery, jubako and bento boxes, accessories — developing wide categories from dining tables to hospitality to interior. A lineup designed so Kagawa lacquerware techniques can be casually enjoyed in daily life.

"Iro-Urushi" and award works born from collaboration with designers

Not only traditional coatings — also many modern lacquerware items elaborating on color and shape: the 13-color Iro-Urushi series, and cups, trays, and accessories through collaborations with Kagawa designers and product designers. Also birthing individually-rich works leveraging Kagawa lacquerware techniques — Kagawa Prefecture Product Contest award works, and "Zoo Series," "Rose Vessels," and "Yondan Sandan."

From lacquer guitars to toys — challenges broadening lacquer's possibilities

With "lacquer guitars" — produced in cooperation with Takamatsu City and guitar craftsmen — by repeating Surishi-nuri many times — expressing the look where wood grain beautifully surfaces with years. Also — focusing on lacquer as a material safe even when put in the mouth — also developing children's lacquerware like duck toys and vessels for elderly — continuing challenges that broaden lacquer's possibilities.

Antibacterial-excellent lacquerware — as daily-use vessels

Lacquer is known as a material with excellent antibacterial properties — suited for making vessels usable with peace of mind at daily dining tables. Through usage Q&A and the "Kagawa Lacquerware Living" movie — also easily transmitting care methods and handling tips. Supporting so lacquerware — whose gloss and texture increase the longer it's used — can be enjoyed as daily-use vessels.