Takahiro
The Story
Tsubame-Sanjo is a land of rich, fertile earth and home to precision metalworking, where man and nature live and work in harmony. The trauma of repeated flooding has helped to forge the indomitable spirit of their master craftsmen, a spirit which is in the very DNA of the products they create.
The beginnings of the Marunao company lie in the manufacture of sumitsubo, a small pot to hold ink that is used to mark long, straight lines on wood and is considered an indispensable element for carpenters when building a Japanese house. In 1939 the first generation, Naoyoshi, was able to procure a pedal-operated sumitsubo which led to large leaps in terms of into mass production. For the next 80 years the company continued to produce classical Japanese carpentry tools, until changes in building techniques eventually led to a decline in the need for these traditions.
Takahiro joined the company in 2000 after a career in a plywood production company, becoming 3rd generation head in 2006. Wanting to create items used by a greater range of people, he started to make chopsticks, tableware and kitchen utensils using the same techniques as in making carpentry tools. Takahiro’s aim is to create specific cutlery that fits each type of cuisine
The Craft
During the selection process, Takahiro takes great care to find which region their wood comes from. The same species of tree will yield different wood depending on the conditions of the soil and the climate. They preserve the individual characteristics and charms of the wood in order to integrate it into the daily lives of their customers.
To complement the wood, Takahiro also incorporates artificial marble, impregnated wood, 18-carat gold and sterling silver. The different materials are combined with the wood in such a way as to give the impression that they have always co-existed as a single entity. Through the fusion of finishing made possible by the use of high-precision machinery and traditional hand techniques, Takahiro has been able to engender a truly original range of products.
The tips of the their chopsticks are painstakingly smoothed down to an octagonal shape of 1.5mm, whilst always bearing in mind the dining experience of the user. Remaining deeply conscious that their products are intended to be touched by hand and will be used within the mouth, the craftspeople have created a range of spoons and cups of a quality and caliber previous unknown.
In 2014, Takahiro opened a combined factory and retail shop nestled deep within a forest in Sanjo. This stylish, well-made showroom and environment offers visitors the opportunity to observe the delicate manufacturing process, from the selection of the material to the final detailed processing. Private tours can be arranged to attend a talk session in the wooded backyard where guests can enjoy mountain scenery and the rural landscape.
Custom-made products (with customer’s name) also available upon request.
Selected works
