SYOURYU｜TAKAOKA BRONZE CASTING

Brand

Unique vessel made by blacksmiths

SYOURYU

• 1909
• TAKAOKA Bronze Casting
• Yoshinori Shimatani

History

Making Buddhist orins for over 110 years

Syouryu is the brand name of Shimatani Syouryu Kobo, a bronze casting manufacturer located in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture.

In 1611, the Maeda clan of Kaga invited skilled craftsmen from Minamikawachi, Osaka, the birthplace of casting, and began manufacturing castings.

At first, they made pots, pans, and farming tools, but gradually they began to deal in Buddhist altarware, flower vases, and metal products in general, and became widely known as "Takaoka castings.

Shimatani Syouryu Kobo was founded in 1909 to preserve the keisu-making techniques that had been handed down since the Edo period.

A keisu is a copper bowl-like object that monks strike before reciting sutras or praying.

Some households have a small one on the Buddhist altar.

I, Yoshinori, the fourth generation, once considered doing something else.

However, I realized after an acquaintance told me that being born into a family that makes tools for the Buddha was a fortunate chance.

From then on, I worked seriously on the traditional techniques of keisu.

Furthermore, I will continue to incorporate this technique into modern household items.

Characteristic

Takaoka Bronze Casting's unique lifestyle items

Keisu must sound and look good.

It depends on the strength, tenacity, and delicate intuition of the craftsman.

We have been making Keisu for more than 110 years, but we began to think that we should use our skills to make products that would enrich the lives of many people.

Suzugami is a square vessel made of 100% pure tin.

Unlike ordinary tin plates, it is like thin paper, produced by repeated rolling and hammering.

It can be folded and reshaped at will according to the user's imagination.

For example, the edge can be raised to make a deep plate, or lowered to make a cake plate or hand towel tray.

There are four different sizes to choose from, so you can dream up all kinds of ways to use them.

Koro, a tool used for bending and stretching, and a paulownia box for storage are also available as products.

For Customers

Enrich your life with free ideas.

"Suzugami" is a new traditional handicraft created by using the technique of Keisu, which has been handed down from generation to generation since the time of the introduction of Buddhism.

In today's life, inorganic mass-produced products made by machines dominate the market, and I believe that there is a widespread culture of disposability and a lack of attachment to things.

Until the high-growth period, Japan had formed a culture of valuing things.

I am working to bring back that culture as much as possible.

I want many people to feel the warmth of handcrafted products made by skilled craftsmen, one by one, with great care.

The thinly rolled tin plate, which is made by craftsmen rhythmically and tenaciously beating it with a hammer, has little deterioration due to bending and stretching, and can be easily bent and stretched just like origami.

We would be happy if you could enrich your life with handcrafted items that enrich your mind and life as much as possible.

Good quality handicrafts will surely add a sense of fun and color to your life.

Fold and stretch it as many times as you like into different shapes for cooking, desserts, accessory trays, and other uses, and enjoy it as much as you like.

A paulownia box matching the size is also available as a product, making it an ideal gift for milestone occasions.

Award

1996 Certified as a traditional craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as a traditional craftsman of TAKAOKA Bronze Casting