ABOUT
In the small town of Kiso Hirasawa, nestled in the deep forests of the Kiso Valley along the old Nakasendo road, lacquer artisans line the streets. Here, craftsmen are dedicated to the art of lacquer (shikki), and woodworking, engaging earnestly in their work, quietly continuing the tradition of craftsmanship.
Since our establishment in this region, MARUYOSHI KOSAKA has been involved in the art of lacquer. The cultural legacy of Kiso lacquerware, passed down by our predecessors, continues to sustain us today. We aim to preserve this culture for future generations, enriching the hearts of many. We believe that the craftsmanship of wood and lacquer by skilled artisans continues to serve as essential tools supporting people's lives.
MARUYOSHI KOSAKA's history began in 1945. Founder Yoshio Kosaka established the shop as a branch of the Kosaka family lineage, who had been in the lacquerware business for generations, implementing the approach of a multi-layered undercoat (shitaji) followed by a topcoat of lacquer (uwanuri). The second generation, Yasuto Kosaka, who had been assisting the founder since childhood, further enhanced the craftsmanship by incorporating the highest-level technique of black lacquer coating (Kuro-roiro-nuri). He played a significant role in the production of lacquerware as a skilled artisan, contributing to the industry's growth. In the early 1990s, following the collapse of the economy, the company shifted its focus to in-house manufacturing and sales.
Subsequently, the third-generation successor, Reo Kosaka, inherited the business with his woodworking skills, polishing the history built by predecessors, and evolving the tradition of Kiso lacquerware in a modern context. We, while feeling the nature, clear air, and the beauty and severity of the seasons in the Kiso Valley, continue to face our work daily as a workshop of artisans. We strive for new challenges while inheriting and learning from tradition and contemplating the needs of today's customers.
