COMPANY

About Us

Company Name Kagunoazuma inc.
Representative Director Fukutaro Azuma
Business Manufacture and sale of paulownia furniture / Sale of various types of furniture and interior goods
Business Hours 9:00～18:00
Regular Closed Days Sundays & Public Holidays
Location Showroom: 278 Nateichiba, Kinokawa City, Wakayama Pref., Japan (Postal code: 649-6631)
Head Office & Factory: 1169-1 Nateichiba, Kinokawa City, Wakayama Pref., Japan (Postal code: 649-6631)
Phone 0736-75-3600
FAX 0736-75-5660
Email info@azuma-kiri.jp

History

1891 Start of paulownia wood sales and founding of company
1895 Factory construction
1955 Expansion of sales of paulownia chest materials to nationwide scale
1990 Construction of a new factory
2002 Establishment of Kagunoazuma inc.
2011 Mingei Kiinokuni Premier Wakayama Certified
2014 Selected for the Fiscal 2014 Supplementary Grant for Manufacturing,
Commerce, and Service Innovation
Custom-built homes and furniture by traditional craftspeople

Director’s Message

Traditional Craftsman

Fukutaro Azuma

Traditional craft is not something that clings to the past, but rather keeps evolving. In order to be a beacon for traditional crafts for hundreds of years to come, we are combining the ultimate in craftsmanship with the cutting edge digital technology. We are combining both techniques that can be done by AI (e.g., roughening) and techniques that can only be done by craftsmen (e.g., adjustment and finishing) to put all of the traditional craftsmanship into our products. In order to preserve the esteemed craftsmanship that Japan takes pride in for future generations, our company fosters the active participation of artisans regardless of gender. To pass the baton we have received from our predecessors to the future. Azuma will continue to work with paulownia wood.

Born in a paulownia lumberyard, so to speak, he grew up observing the work of his grandfather and father.
After graduating from Kansai University of International studies, he entered Kyoto College of Traditional Crafts in 2004.
He studied the traditional woodworking techniques of Kyoto under Kunio Naito, a master craftsman.

2006 Honorable Mention, Graduation Commemorative Works Exhibition, Kyoto College of Traditional Crafts
2007 Joined Kagunoazuma inc.
2007 Honorable Mention, Graduation Commemorative Works Exhibition, Kyoto College of Traditional Crafts
2009 Honorable Mention, Kyoto Traditional Arts and Crafts New Artist Exhibition
2010 Awarded the Grand Prize, Kyoto Traditional Arts and Crafts New Artist Exhibition
2010 Selected for KANSAI DESIGN MAP
2011 Renovation of the three main halls of Nate Hachiman Shrine, a designated Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture
2011 Received the Nantan Mayor's Prize at the 26th National Cultural Festival Kyoto 2011 Art Exhibition (Crafts)
2016 Certified as Traditional Craftsman of Kishu Paulownia Chests
2017 Yaki-ishime-nuri paulownia box "Pandora" selected for OMOTENASHI SELECTION
2017 Crowdfunding campaign: "Showcasing the Artistry of Traditional Craftsmen. Enjoy a luxurious moment with a 1-mm-thin paulownia-made rocks glass." In an exceptional feat for a traditional craft, the target amount was surpassed within 7 hours. In the end, pledges amounted to 334% of the target.
2018 Selected to represent Wakayama in the LEXUS NEW TAKUMIPROJECT 2017
A paulownia beer mug was crafted for this project that surpassed the paulownia rocks glass and was selected by Kundo Koyama as an example of master craftsmanship.
2019 Production of the ceremonial gift for Sanboin Hidaka Zenryu, the 520th Koyasan priest of the priesthood, a matcha bowl made of paulownia wood.
2018 Collaboration with Designer Moriro Murakami and Glass Artist Rie Sugiyama to create paulownia spindle Christmas tree at LEXUS Takamatsu Branch
2018 Paulownia boat-shaped flower stand ornament created and exhibited at LEXUS Wakayama Interchange Branch
2019 Presentation of paulownia glassware that meets global standards for food hygiene at Maison & Objet in Paris, and Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy
2019 Architect Arata Isozaki Pritzker Prize commemorative gift production
2019 Production of in-store furniture and display art for the updating of LEXUS Kimiidera Branch
2020 Production of commemorative products for the 1700th anniversary of Kumano Nachi Taisha, a World Heritage site
2020 Inaugurated as the 257th head priest of Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple, the head temple of the Shingon sect of To-ji Temple, and the 3rd chief abbot (To-ji Temple) of the Shingon sect of To-ji Temple
Production of "Paulownia Lotus Dishes" as a commemorative gift for the inauguration of High Priest Zenryu Hidaka
2020 Collaborated with Designer Moriro Murakami on the creation and exhibition of a paulownia art object entitled
'HOU-OU: Evolution and Regeneration' shown at the global premiere of Philip Morris Maker's Gallery Project 'Fukutaro Azuma For IQOS'

Access

Head Office & Factory

1169-1 Nateichiba, Kinokawa City, Wakayama Pref., Japan (Postal code: 649-6631)

<By Train>
10-minute walk from "Nate Station" on the JR Wakayama line

<Via Kansai International Airport>
We will pick you up at the main entrance of Kansai International Airport.
*If you contact us in advance, we can arrange to pick you up at the station or the airport.