Starting Post-War: The Legacy of Shozu Shikko’s Kijishi Work

Can you tell us about your company history?

Takao Our company officially started in 1978, but our work began shortly after World War II. After the war, many men returned from the front lines to find no jobs in their hometowns. My grandfather was one of them.

While discussions about their future were ongoing, the proposal to engage in Yamanaka lacquerware, which was already a part of local culture, was brought up. Skilled individuals became Kijishi (woodturner), and those with a talent for negotiation became wholesalers, and they each took up roles in the Yamanaka lacquerware industry.

My grandfather became involved in the craft, marking the beginning of our predecessor’s venture into lacquerware making. Watching my grandfather work, my father helped him while attending junior high school. Eventually, the business was incorporated, my father took over as head, and now I have stepped into this role.

Did you become a Kijishi because you wanted to carry on the tradition?

TakaoNo, actually, I didn’t intend to succeed it. I played baseball during my student years, pursuing a professional career. When that dream didn’t materialize, I got a job in Tokyo as a company employee.

I eventually met my wife and told her about my grandfather and father’s work. Her response was, "That’s a rare profession." It made me realize that the Kijishi work I grew up around wasn’t the norm.

This realization sparked my interest in the work. I went through a period of indecision on whether to succeed the business, but my wife supported me. I returned home 12 years ago, and here I am today.

The Allure of Wood Grain: What is Yamanaka Lacquerware?

What is the history behind Yamanaka Lacquerware?

Takao I heard it originally came from Kyoto.
The work follows a complete division of labor. As Kijishi, we are divided into several categories based on the method of carving the wood.

This area initially served as a subcontractor to Wajima, handling only the woodwork. From the desire to create their own products, Yamanaka Lacquerware was born.
Having crafted woodwork for a long time, this region developed a higher level of skill compared to others. To highlight this skill, they adopted a finishing style that reveals the wood grain.

The distinctive feature of Yamanaka Lacquerware today is the method of extracting the wood grain from wood. Typically, woodwork is extracted horizontally against the grain, which is cost-effective and yields more material.
However, in the past, due to underdeveloped drying techniques, horizontally extracted woodwork would warp over time. So in this region, they extract it along the grain, vertically.
Although this method is challenging and yields less material from a single log, it results in woodwork that resists aging. It's a technique that only a place like Yamanaka, with its high skill level maintained by complete division of labor, could achieve.

Because of this background, it's often said among experts, "Yamanaka for woodwork, Wajima for lacquer."

Understanding Wood Characteristics to Create Modern, User-Friendly Products

What are the standout features of Shozu Shikko's products?

Takao We strive to keep our designs modern while ensuring they are user-friendly. I suppose our standout piece is the wine glass.

When we started retailing, we wanted a product that would grab attention, and the idea for a wine glass came to me. But at that time, I didn't have the skills to bring it to life.
So I discussed it with my father, but he was skeptical, saying, "Who would buy such a thing?" I somehow persuaded him, and we created that wine glass.
My father loves wine, and he surprisingly liked it once it was completed (laughs).

Starting with the wine glass, our product finishing uses a glass coating called nano-gra coating. This stems from the commitment to "create user-friendly products."

As a Kijishi, I wanted customers to appreciate the allure of wood, so I considered a clear coating.
The standard clear coating is urethane, but its strength is low and not suitable for everyday or long-term use.
To ensure user-friendliness, we apply the more challenging but stronger nano-graphene coating.

When creating custom orders, we also provide suggestions from a woodworker's perspective.
Sometimes, design data proposals reveal that they would result in breakage due to wood characteristics.

Hisako This is something only those who understand wood characteristics can notice.
If such issues arise, we share the wood characteristics and provide our perspective.

It feels like using waste materials is a standout sustainable effort.

Takao A few years into my career as a Kijishi, I wondered, "Why are some materials discarded?"

For example, knots in wood are mostly discarded. Knots are challenging to process, but that doesn't warrant throwing them away. After investigating, I found that knots were often mistaken for blemishes by recipients, leading to their habitual disposal.

What a waste. That's what I thought.
There were times when obtaining wood was difficult, reminding me that wood is a finite resource. We also engage in reforestation efforts, but it takes time. Therefore, I didn't want to waste anything.

If it's noticeable, why not utilize it? Since we also do retail, we can provide product explanations.
We can explain that knots form where new growth emerges, are not quality issues, and show the wood's vitality.
Any residual wood that can't be turned into products is donated to preschools or given to campsites for use.

What does "Kijishi" mean to Kubode?

Takao A Kijishi understands wood characteristics and can deliver products that meet customer expectations. I believe a Kijishi is someone who can offer making suggestions from wood's perspective.

New Bonds in the World of Crafts

The interview project featured on the website was incredibly impressive.

Takao: The beginning of the project was the fact that we had almost no connections.

Hisako: Our work is divided into specialties, so we lacked connections with other woodworkers, wholesalers, and lacquer craftsmen. We usually don’t have opportunities to meet face-to-face.

Takao: Amidst this, I began speaking with people from the retail industry and various other fields. It sparked curiosity about how those around us were working. As someone involved in the same traditional crafts, I wondered what others were thinking, how they were acting, what they were troubled by, and how they were dealing with issues.
The idea was sparked by wishing we could share these thoughts.

As I listened, I encountered insights that were eye-opening and extremely educational. Simultaneously, horizontal connections increased.

Starting retailing influenced not only the interview project but also our website development and social media presence on Instagram and YouTube. We were trying to raise awareness somehow.

When we tried sharing information in various forms, we received feedback like, "The website was wonderful," or "I want to work here," which were beyond our expectations. These were very gratifying experiences, motivating us to continue sharing information.

While it has been a challenge to find time due to being involved in management, I believe that there are things that can only be conveyed by the creators themselves.
We hope to communicate with customers through our website, social media, and events, and use the feedback as motivation to continue doing our best.