TSUGI LLC, a local creative company based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, has announced the release of 14 new items from F-TRAD MADE, a project dedicated to bringing traditional Fukui crafts into modern living spaces.
Fukui Prefecture is home to seven nationally designated traditional crafts—Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, Echizen forged blades, Echizen pottery, Echizen tansu chests, Wakasa-nuri lacquerware, and Wakasa agate crafts—along with 29 prefecturally designated folk crafts. The F-TRAD project develops and certifies products that leverage these traditional techniques while harmonizing with contemporary lifestyles, and has been operating as a Fukui Prefecture initiative since 2022, now entering its fourth year.
The project consists of two approaches: F-TRAD MADE, which focuses on product development aligned with the concept, and F-TRAD FOUND, which certifies existing products that embody the concept.
F-TRAD MADE: Collaborative Product Development
Under F-TRAD MADE, TSUGI serves as director, establishing a flat collaborative framework involving government, manufacturers, and designers. The approach carefully connects artisan techniques with evolving times, creating products that fit modern living. This year, six teams—pairing traditional craft makers from Fukui Prefecture with designers based outside the prefecture—participated, resulting in 14 new items.
The development period spanned approximately eight months. Each team engaged with the history and techniques of their respective crafts while addressing market needs and challenges. The result is lifestyle goods and cutlery that incorporate contemporary functionality and design, based on Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, Echizen forged blades, Echizen tansu chests, and Wakasa-nuri chopsticks.
These new products will be available for pre-order starting January 28, 2026, at the online store operated by TSUGI.
Additionally, the products will be exhibited at the 19th LIFE×DESIGN exhibition held at Tokyo Big Sight from February 4–6 (West Exhibition Hall Atrium: West AT-FP-13, West AT-FP-14), and at the Kyoto Crafts Exhibition DIALOGUE from March 11–14 (Room No. 311).
F-TRAD Special Website: https://f-trad.com/
Online Store: https://savastore.jp/?mode=grp&gid=2854195
F-TRAD MADE | Echizen Lacquerware
Echizen lacquerware has a history spanning approximately 1,500 years. The production area is home to many skilled woodworkers and lacquer artisans, and is currently known as a major production center for commercial lacquerware.
Two teams participated in F-TRAD MADE: Echizen Shikki Co., Ltd.—which has been commissioned by the Imperial Household Agency to produce lacquerware for the "Banquet Following the Ceremony of Enthronement"—partnered with designer Yasuhiro Suzuki (SUPER YOU DESIGN). Meanwhile, Nakano Co., Ltd., which specializes in tea ceremony utensils, collaborated with designer Riku Takada. Through bold designs utilizing painting techniques and interior lighting that combines Echizen lacquerware with Echizen washi through regional collaboration, they've created living scenarios that bring lacquer closer to daily life.
Korindo "Bonbonniere"
Echizen Shikki Co., Ltd.
Design: Yasuhiro Suzuki (SUPER YOU DESIGN)
Korindo "Shin Urushi (Spoon & Fork)"
Echizen Shikki Co., Ltd.
Design: Yasuhiro Suzuki (SUPER YOU DESIGN)
Korindo "Urushi no Party Cutlery"
Echizen Shikki Co., Ltd.
Design: Yasuhiro Suzuki (SUPER YOU DESIGN)
URUSHI LAMP "IKKANBARI Block"
Nakano Co., Ltd.
Design: Riku Takada
F-TRAD MADE | Echizen Washi
Echizen washi is a historic Japanese paper that has been used for ceremonial paper and currency notes. The Imadate area of Echizen City is particularly renowned as one of Japan's leading production centers.
This year, Yamagishi Washi Co., Ltd. collaborated with designer Saku Sasaki to present the "PAPER OR" series. Beyond stationery that leverages the texture of Echizen washi, the series offers new sensory proposals through aroma oil and washi aroma stones inspired by Okamoto Shrine and Otaki Shrine, which enshrine the deity of paper.
PAPER OR "Survey Notebook"
Yamagishi Washi Co., Ltd.
Design: Saku Sasaki
PAPER OR "Sticker"
Yamagishi Washi Co., Ltd.
Design: Saku Sasaki
PAPER OR "Blend Oil / Aroma Stone"
Yamagishi Washi Co., Ltd.
Design: Saku Sasaki
F-TRAD MADE | Echizen Forged Blades
Echizen forged blades trace their history back to the 1300s, evolving through the production of tools that support daily life, such as sickles and vegetable knives.
This year, Yamada Hideo Shoten—a wholesaler that also handles knife finishing—partnered with Fukui-born designer Hiroyoshi Kamijima (TIDS) to redesign two types of knives for modern kitchens. The project includes a sharpening service designed as aftercare, creating knives that truly fit into daily life.
kayoi | 通 "Nakiri"
Yamada Hideo Shoten
Design: Hiroyoshi Kamijima (TIDS)
kayoi | 通 "Aiba"
Yamada Hideo Shoten
Design: Hiroyoshi Kamijima (TIDS)
F-TRAD MADE | Echizen Tansu
Echizen tansu represents a fusion of high traditional value, combining Echizen joinery woodworking techniques with Echizen lacquerware coating and metalwork from Echizen forged blades. These chests, designed to protect precious belongings, have embodied feelings for family and loved ones.
For F-TRAD, Noriyoshi Koyanagi—fourth-generation owner of Koyanagi Tansu-ten and a certified traditional craftsman—collaborated with designers Kodai Iwamoto and Jun'ichiro Oshima (Studio Hakkotai). They reinterpreted zushi shrines and kamidana household altars for contemporary homes, creating products that bring a quiet presence to living spaces.
Koyanagi Tansu-ten "INORI"
Koyanagi Tansu-ten
Design: Kodai Iwamoto, Jun'ichiro Oshima (Studio Hakkotai)
Koyanagi Tansu-ten "Teo"
Koyanagi Tansu-ten
Design: Kodai Iwamoto, Jun'ichiro Oshima (Studio Hakkotai)
F-TRAD MADE | Wakasa-nuri Chopsticks
Wakasa-nuri developed during the Edo period as luxurious lacquerware. By applying these techniques to chopsticks and expanding their range, the craft established its brand position. Today, the region produces approximately 80% of chopsticks used domestically.
This year, Ogishi Tadashi Shoten Co., Ltd. in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, collaborated with designer Sakiko Nagasuna (SUNA). Using synthetic paint compatible with dishwashers while achieving lacquer-like expressions through coating techniques, they created a "contemporary Wakasa chopsticks" series.
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten "Wakasa Chopsticks kihada"
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten Co., Ltd.
Design: Sakiko Nagasuna (SUNA)
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten "Wakasa Chopsticks irosuki"
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten Co., Ltd.
Design: Sakiko Nagasuna (SUNA)
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten "Wakasa Chopsticks washi"
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten Co., Ltd.
Design: Sakiko Nagasuna (SUNA)
F-TRAD FOUND
F-TRAD FOUND certifies existing products from businesses within Fukui Prefecture that fit naturally into contemporary lifestyles with comfort and harmony. In fiscal year 2025, three new items were certified.
Yamakyu Shikko Co., Ltd. "Lacquer Frame Art"
(Echizen Lacquerware)
Futaba Shoten Co., Ltd. "Ginkgo Wood Cooking Spatula"
(Ginkgo Wood Crafts)
Suzuki Carving Studio "Kagami Mochi"
(Sabae Wood Carving)
About F-TRAD
F-TRAD is a project aimed at promoting the appeal of Fukui Prefecture's traditional crafts nationwide and expanding demand. While preserving traditional techniques, it updates products to match modern lifestyles.
Through two approaches—F-TRAD MADE, which develops new products aligned with the F-TRAD concept, and F-TRAD FOUND, which certifies products embodying the F-TRAD concept—the project examines the essence of Fukui Prefecture's traditional crafts and aims to reinterpret them for the future.
Since launching in 2022, the project has developed 48 products and certified 38 products under the F-TRAD brand over four years.
Special Website: https://f-trad.com/
Online Store: https://savastore.jp/?mode=grp&gid=2854195
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ftrad_fukui/
About TSUGI LLC
TSUGI is a local creative company based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.
Operating along the axes of "support, create, sell, and cultivate," the company goes beyond client work to manage its own brands and the regional product shop "SAVA!STORE," handling product sales and distribution. TSUGI researches what matters and what's needed for the region, practicing creative regional development for the coming era.
Company Name: TSUGI LLC
Location: 19-8 Kawada-cho, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture 916-1222
TEL: 0778-65-0048
FAX: 0778-42-6335
Website: https://tsugilab.com
Representative Member: Naohiro Niiyama
