Tea and Us / About

About Craftsmanship

The products we offer are crafts created together with master artisans.

The Arts and Crafts movement, led by William Morris in Britain between approximately 1870 and 1890, is often described in Japan as "bringing art into daily life." It was a movement that rose as the Industrial Revolution and technological progress began to drastically transform society.

Today, as new technologies like generative AI change society and the roles of humans, we believe we have entered an era where this perspective deserves renewed attention. We feel a shift towards a cycle where physical experiences and the value of tangible objects become increasingly important.

Sustainability is also an essential perspective. We believe one solution lies in pouring affection into products crafted with passion—items that are not only sustainable in production and disposal but also highly repairable, becoming lifelong companions.

However, for craftsmanship to continue being loved, it needs opportunities to meet new users.

We have chosen the field of tea experience and culture, which serves as a sanctuary for rest and a catalyst for deep communication in our fast-paced modern world.

Wallpaper sample, Compton 323, by William Morris (c. 1917), Brooklyn Museum / en.wikipedia.org

The Birth of Ginryoku Teaware

We first met through a project called MUUSEO FACTORY, the predecessor to Ginryoku Teaware.

This project aimed to create products that connect the high skills of makers with the sensibilities of users. Its first product, the "Dharma" palm stone, received significant acclaim and was featured several times on television.

Leveraging this experience and philosophy, we launched Ginryoku Teaware as a new initiative.

We have two goals: to expand the potential of crafts and artisans by nurturing new appreciators of craftsmanship, and to create tools that support the coexistence of tradition and innovation in the evolving world of tea.

Nigiriishi「Dharma」/ LOUD FACTORY（https://loudfactory.jp/pages/dharma）

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Ginryoku Teaware is based on our brand concept of providing teaware made from natural materials.

It is a combination of "Gin" (Silver), representing minerals like clay and gemstones, and "Ryoku" (Green), representing plant-based materials like wood and lacquer.

Furthermore, the color "Ginryoku" (Silver Green) refers to the color of pine needles, embodying our wish for these tools to be used for as long as a pine tree lives.

Our Promise

To respect and promote various teas from different regions and their histories/cultures, while embracing new ways to enjoy them and increasing the number of future enthusiasts.

To continue creating products for lifelong use, selecting materials and manufacturing methods together with artisans who have refined their skills and sensibilities.

To continue enjoying tea and teaware ourselves.

Members

Jun Narimatsu

President, Neuergarten Inc.

Grew up familiar with various types of tea since childhood. His first awakening to tea culture was in elementary school when he began making his own Royal Milk Tea. As an adult, he discovered antique silverware and Chinese tea at a local cafe he frequented, and has remained a dedicated enthusiast ever since. He also enjoys spending time in traditional tea rooms during his occasional visits to the UK.

With ancestry tracing back to Kaijiro Notomi—a pivotal figure in the development of Japanese crafts who exhibited at the Paris Expo and helped establish craft schools nationwide, including the Kanazawa Industrial School during the Meiji and Taisho eras—Jun has held a deep interest in craftsmanship from a young age. He has lived his life energized by the intricate details of products across various fields.

After a career at Deloitte Tohmatsu, he joined Cookpad (a recipe-sharing service) when it had only about 10 employees. As the first CFO, he spearheaded the setup of the corporate department, led fundraising from major financial institutions, and managed the company's IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He later founded MUUSEO, a collection management and discovery service aimed at enriching life with "objects," which he operated for 10 years before its succession.

Currently, he serves as an external director for multiple startups and as an angel investor. He also co-operates "LOUDGARDEN," a boutique tailor specializing in British-style bespoke tailoring.

Kiyoshi Yamagata

Representative, Japanology Museum

Writer, Planner, and Folklorist.

Having spent many years in the publishing industry, he has produced numerous magazines and books related to objects, photography, and travel. His passion for craftsmanship has led him to work as a planner and lecturer for product development involving artisans and town revitalization projects through material culture.

He began building plastic models before starting kindergarten. By elementary school, he was immersed in crafting bamboo dragonflies and wooden model airplanes with a "Higonokami" pocketknife. Since then, his interest has expanded beyond a simple obsession with "things" to include technology, materials, design, texture, and touch. His journey to find cherished items continues, covering everything from tools, cameras, and stationery to furniture, architecture, musical instruments, ceramics, and daily tableware.