Nakagawa Masashichi store external view

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Aya Sengoku takes on the challenge of “revitalizing crafts”

2020.2.4

1. Change easily
−Next challenge for Aya Sengoku, president of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten with a history of 303 years

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Omotesando branch is located in a corner of a quiet residential area in Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Japanese crafts, which naturally blend into the modern world where Western culture is spreading, are lined up in an orderly manner. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, which was founded in Nara and has a history of 303 years, is trying to breathe new life into the world of Japanese crafts. How do they view Japanese manufacturing now? And what kind of future are you trying to envision? At the root of these people, who support Japanese manufacturing, is a ``lightness'' that they have maintained despite being exposed to the changes of the times.

``Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Omotesando Store'' is the first street-level store with the trade name Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. The Tokyo office is located on the second floor of the same building. ``Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Omotesando Store'' is the first street-level store with the trade name Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. The Tokyo office is located on the second floor of the same building.

``Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Omotesando Store'' is the first street-level store with the trade name Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. The Tokyo office is located on the second floor of the same building.

Story: Aya Sengoku

 

We are a company made up of people who share our vision, so we can fight as a team.

It was in 2018 that I took over the position of president from Masashichi Nakagawa, the XNUMXth president (current chairman). This was the first time that someone outside the Nakagawa family became president. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has a long history, but there is nothing left that could be called a company policy or credo that has been passed down from generation to generation. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten may have been able to survive these turbulent times precisely because it has been able to easily change its business format to suit the times without placing too much value on history and tradition. If there's one thing that has been passed down to me, I think it's a sense of lightness.

 

Although we are a "light company," we have a vision that all employees keep in mind. That vision is "to revitalize Japanese crafts!", which Masashichi Nakagawa set forth in 2007. Together with employees who share this vision, including myself, I would like to bring about changes in manufacturing in Japan. I believe that what I can do as a XNUMXth generation company is to build a system where all employees can continue to grow and take on challenges through teamwork, rather than a top-down system.

A scene from Dainippon City held in 2019. A scene from Dainippon City held in 2019.

A scene from Dainippon City held in 2019.


One of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's efforts to revitalize crafts is the joint exhibition ``Dainippon Market'' sponsored by the company. Originally, it was an event to show off to buyers products that we planned and manufactured in-house, as well as products from partner companies that we provided consulting for, but in 2018, we expanded the door to manufacturers from all over the country, and now we are The event has grown into a major event that brings together over 50 creators, including those open to the public.

``Dainippon City'' is a joint exhibition held for businesses that manufacture clothing, food, and housing in Japan. ``Dainippon City'' is a joint exhibition held for businesses that manufacture clothing, food, and housing in Japan.

``Dainippon City'' is a joint exhibition held for businesses that manufacture clothing, food, and housing in Japan.

Here, the makers work hard to present the products they have created to the visiting buyers, using gestures and gestures. Communicate what they have created in their own words. That conveys the essence the most. However, many of the people are working as craftsmen, and many of them are new to customer service, so we practice with each other and create horizontal connections. Exhibiting at Dainippon Fair, which is held twice a year, is also a goal for their product development. Rather than simply wanting to hold a large-scale exhibition, I want Dainihonichi to be a place of learning and discovery for both creators and buyers.

“Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Shibuya Store” is Japan’s largest flagship store, which opened in Shibuya Scramble Square in November 2019. This is the only store with a full lineup of over 11 Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten products. “Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Shibuya Store” is Japan’s largest flagship store, which opened in Shibuya Scramble Square in November 2019. This is the only store with a full lineup of over 11 Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten products.

“Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Shibuya Store” is Japan’s largest flagship store, which opened in Shibuya Scramble Square in November 2019. This is the only store with a full lineup of over 11 Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten products.


One of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's hit products is ``Flower Towel.'' Hana dish towels are made from ``Kayaori'' fabric from Nara Prefecture. Kayaori has excellent water absorption and dries easily. One of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's hit products is ``Flower Towel.'' Hana dish towels are made from ``Kayaori'' fabric from Nara Prefecture. Kayaori has excellent water absorption and dries easily.

One of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's hit products is ``Flower Towel.'' Hana dish towels are made from ``Kayaori'' fabric from Nara Prefecture. Kayaori has excellent water absorption and dries easily.

What is necessary to preserve Japanese manufacturing 100 years from now? As we do consulting business, which is one of the pillars of our business, we always tell our clients that this is about becoming financially independent and regaining the pride in manufacturing. . The world of Japanese crafts has a problem of a lack of successors, but if people can make a living and take pride in their work, this problem should be solved. To that end, I think it's important not only to appreciate Japanese crafts, but also to make good things that fit into our modern lives, and to properly communicate what's good about them.

 

We update our crafts in a light manner to bring them closer to today's Japanese lifestyle. I think that this help is starting to show results little by little. Japanese makers are now regaining their pride. When they regain their true pride, Japanese crafts will become more diverse.

 

→NextMasaya Hotta (President, Hotta Carpet Co., Ltd.).

(Titles omitted)

"Dainippon City"

Target audience: Retail buyers/government officials/press/craft manufacturers considering exhibiting

Duration: 2020 days from Wednesday, February XNUMX, XNUMX to Friday, February XNUMX, XNUMX

February 10th-18th: 10:15-XNUMX:XNUMX February XNUMXth: XNUMX:XNUMX-XNUMX:XNUMX

Venue: B&C HALL 2-1-3 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Contact: Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Wholesale Division

inquiry@yu-nakagawa.co.jp

*Advance registration is required.

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Profile Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Profile

Profile

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten

In 1716, the company's history began with the Nara Sarashi business. Nara Sarashi is a high-quality linen fabric made by exposing the raw hemp to a pure white color, and has been used as kamishimo for samurai and robes for monks. The company reached its peak in the 18th century, but after that it declined and was on the verge of going out of business.However, Masashichi Nakagawa, a teenager, rebuilt the business as a manufacturer and wholesaler by owning his own Nara Sarashi factory. It was also exhibited at the Paris World's Fair (1925). After the war, the 1985th generation, Iwakichi Nakagawa, did not choose mechanization, but instead moved some of his production bases overseas, preserving the traditional hand-knitting and hand-weaving methods. The twelfth generation, Iwao Nakagawa, expanded his business into a wholesaler handling all kinds of tea utensils. In 2002, he launched Yu Nakagawa, a linen accessory retailer. In 2008, Atsushi Nakagawa (Masashichi Nakagawa), who later became the 2018th generation, joined the company. He will work on launching new brands and developing directly managed stores. In XNUMX, Jun Nakagawa was appointed as the XNUMXth president. He is taking on new challenges, including starting a consulting business, announcing a new brand, ``Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten,'' and holding a joint exhibition, ``Dainippon City.'' In March XNUMX, Aya Sengoku was appointed as the XNUMXth president. His predecessor became chairman and heads the consulting and education business.

 

Aya Sengoku Aya Sengoku

Profile

Aya Sengoku

14th president

Born in 1976. After he graduated from Osaka University of Arts, he joined a major printing company. He works as a designer and production director. In 2011, he joined Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. In March 2018, he worked as a retail division supervisor, production management division, president's secretary, product planning division manager, mino consulting assistant, Yama Kujirasha consulting, Yunakagawa brand manager, and brand management office manager. Became president in May.

Text by Taisuke Segawa
Photography by ©Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten 

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