Trend

In the realm of Japanese business, few entities command as much respect and admiration as the shinise, traditional companies with over 100 years of history. The country is also home to the oldest company in the world, a construction firm specializing in temples and shrines with a mind-boggling 1443 years of operation. These long-standing establishments have weathered the storms of time and emerged as pillars of stability in an ever-changing economic landscape. Often passed down through generations, they embody not just a legacy of commerce but also a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Japanese entrepreneurship. In a time where society seems like it’s starting to regain its footing, let’s delve into some of the reasons for the stability and success of the shinise.

Embracing Tradition: The Heart of Shinise

At the core of Japan’s shinise lies a profound respect for tradition. These companies have not just survived but thrived by adhering to time-honored practices and values passed down through generations. Whether it’s the meticulous craftsmanship of a Kyoto ceramics workshop or the time-tested recipes of a family-owned sake brewery in Hiroshima, shinise companies embrace their heritage as a source of strength and continuity.

Resilience in Adversity: Weathering Challenges

Throughout their long histories, shinise companies have faced numerous challenges – from wars and economic crises to natural disasters and pandemics. Yet, time and again, they have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. This resilience stems not just from their financial strength but also from a deeply ingrained ethos of perseverance, innovation, and commitment to their employees, communities, and craft.

Innovative Succession Strategies: Passing the Torch

In cases where there are no blood-related heirs to inherit the family business, some shinise have adopted innovative strategies. They may seek out talented individuals from within the company or even outside it, who embody the values and ethos of the shinise, to carry on its legacy. This open-minded approach to succession ensures that the company’s traditions and culture can endure, regardless of familial lineage.

Commitment to Craft: Steadfastness Amidst Change

Furthermore, shinise companies are known for their unwavering dedication to their craft or product. Unlike modern businesses that may pivot quickly in response to market trends, shinise tend to stay true to their core offerings. This steadfast commitment to quality and tradition not only reinforces their brand identity but also fosters long-term customer loyalty.

Looking ahead, as Japan’s economy continues to evolve in the 21st century, the role of shinise companies remains as crucial as ever. Their ability to blend tradition with innovation, customer trust with global expansion, and resilience with adaptability will be key to navigating the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. Japan’s shinise are not relics of the past; they are beacons of stability and strength, guiding the way forward for generations to come.

The Influence of Japanese Craftsmanship on Creativity:

Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo, a long-established company since the Edo period, will soon celebrate its first anniversary with the opening of “Kumihimo Experience by DOMYO,” a facility where visitors can observe and experience manufacturing. Founded in 1652, the company has been handling traditional products based on research and study of historical kumihimo attached to cultural properties throughout Japan since the Meiji era (1868-1912), while at the same time adhering to hand-dyeing and hand-braiding, and passing down the tradition of traditional products from the Edo period by accumulating research on historical kumihimo associated with cultural properties nationwide, as well as handling items that utilize its techniques for modern Western wear.

“Tradition and innovation” are often keywords requested by clients when GARDE engages in space design, but their traditional craftsmanship, symbolic of Japanese culture, also provides us with much inspiration for our creativity. Space design is rarely completed solely with functionality, but by adding the essence of aesthetics, it becomes a place where people want to be and feel they belong.

Product design is similar; for example, among the product lineup of Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo, there is a “sword strap” that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. Its uses include:

– A strap for carrying the sword during transport
– A tasuki for tying up kimono sleeves that get in the way during fighting
– Cords for packing or tying up captives
– Spare laces for protective gear such as helmets/armor and footwear in case they break
– To stop bleeding in case of injury

It was used for various purposes. While a rope would suffice as a tool, its decorative beauty already constitutes art.

Branding = “attachment” created by function + α

Traditional culture, such as Japanese clothing, Japanese-style houses, and family crests, bestows “attachment” to fundamental usability through functionality + α, contributing to the branding of individuals and organizations. Traditional Japanese products also offer many insights into GARDE’s creativity.

GARDE official website URL:
https://www.garde-intl.com/
Design Magazine URL:
https://www.gardedesignmagazine.com/

■”Kumihimo Experience by DOMYO” facility:
Business hours: 11:00-19:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays)
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: 6-75 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://kdomyo.com/pages/experience
Management Company: Domyo Co.,Ltd
Source: Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo website https://kdomyo.com/

The sakura blooming season, which can usually be enjoyed from late March to mid-April, will soon arrive. The sakura viewing spots that were restricted due to the Covid-19 have now been completely lifted, and both Japanese and foreign tourists are excited about this first post-Corona sakura viewing season.

The Meguro River, a famous hanami spot, is so well known as a tourist attraction that cruise tours are organized during the period, and at night, the illuminated sakura tunnels create a fantastic world on the surface of the river.

In recent years, home-use interior decorations have become popular for those who want to enjoy sakura viewing in a more convenient way.

Sakura growing kits that even beginners can easily grow and sakura bonsai that can be used to accent interior decorations are excellent items for adding color to spring at home.

In addition, viewing sakura is not the only way to enjoy them.

For example, the Israel cosmetics brand SABON has upcycled the sakura trees decorating the interior of its flagship store in the spring of 2023.

After attracting many visitors, the sakura trees are not disposed of as they are, but rather are sawn, dried, carefully processed, and reborn as hand mirrors, which are sold in limited quantities.

This kind of sustainable approach not only preserves the environment but also provides people with new values and ways of enjoying their creations.

When the blooming season arrives, sakura are in full bloom everywhere, making the entire city turn into sakura colors.

While there are traditional ways to enjoy sakura, such as the traditional Hanami event, there are also some cases where sakura are used as materials for interior decorations, and there are also some efforts to provide consumers with added value.

How about finding your own way to enjoy sakura that Japan can be proud of?

Image Credit: Mark Tegethoff, Unsplash, ＊takechaaaan＊, makoto.h, photo AC

Opened in 2023, this café is a place where you can experience the beauty of Japanese culture, technology, and tradition in a unique space that combines Japanese tradition and modernity. We have long paid attention to its special appearance, which stands out even on Kotto-dori, a street with many cafes, because of its location near Minami-Aoyama 5-chome and the headquarters of GARDE.

The key visual bonsai is created by Teppei Kojima ( https://www.instagram.com/teppei_kojima501/ ) of TRADMAN’S BONSAI, a group of bonsai artists with a passionate fan base in Japan and abroad.

Through the four seasons and food culture of Japan, the cafe aim to contribute to society by promoting transparency of producers and production processes, raising awareness of “food safety,” “self-sufficiency,” and “climate change,” and through sustainable initiatives to solve common global problems.

The adjoining Ark Gallery offers a variety of cultural experiences, including workshops and exhibits and sales of bonsai, contemporary art, pottery, and other items.  Multi-lingual staff members are on hand to provide cultural experiences to inbound visitors.

Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery
Opening date: December 2, 2023
Business hours: 10:00-
Closed: irregular closing schedule
Address: Barizon104 1F, 5-4-27 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matsubayasaryo/

For further information, please click the following link:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000132679.html

Image Credit: Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery

A fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian influences creates a style colloquially referred to as “Japandi.”  A quick search on Pinterest or Instagram alone will prove how popular this term and style are becoming. There are 500k (and growing) example posts to choose from.

Ever since the pandemic in 2020, there has been a growing interest in home design and private spaces. Combined with the stress of technological advancement which overwhelmingly surrounds us, this led to a renewed appreciation of simplicity.

In this cultural environment, Japandi seems to be the answer for many interior lovers. The trend has received attention in the US from international fashion magazines, with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner taking to the internet to show off her japandi kitchen. An American fashion and lifestyle magazine explains the Japandi style as “a merging of two historic ‘less-is-more’ cultures (…) It is about creating uncluttered spaces accented with functional objects like vases and mugs over decorative ones. Natural light, too, is prioritized.”

Despite the trend having risen mostly outside of Japan, domestic furniture and lifestyle stores were also quick to pick up on it and make the trend their own by recommending new furniture accordingly. It’s easy to recognize the common values in Japanese and Scandinavian lifestyles, which see depth in modesty (think neutral color palettes such as beige), as well as comfort in natural materials (think wood, stone, and bamboo).

The Japanese and the Scandinavian philosophies with their roots in simplicity seem to merge effortlessly in this trend: the “wabi-sabi” in Japan and “hygge” in Scandinavian, have been part of people’s lives for centuries, and it is predicted many more to come.

Photo: Don Kaveen