GINRYOKU TEAWARE
Ⅰ. Actions Guided by Materials
British antique furniture remains usable even after a century. Disassemble it, restore it, and reapply beeswax, and it quietly regains its luster. What remains is the memory of a culture that repairs and uses.
The same goes for my beloved Shimakura-do hammered copperware*1 milk pan*2 that I've used for years. After 30 years of use, when burnt-on residue accumulated and the tin lining inside wore thin, I sent it back to the manufacturer. They meticulously re-tinned it and polished the surface to look like new before returning it. It came back into daily use like an old friend reunited.
By engaging sincerely with materials, "tools become not disposable items, but entities with which we maintain a lasting relationship." This very sensibility is one of the core philosophies GINRYOKU TEAWARE.
II. Product-Induced Behavior
When I wear my Edward Green*3 double monk*5 "Westminster"*6 shoes, I naturally stand up straighter. On snowy days, the sound of my hunting boots crunching through the snow is soothing. On the morning of a trip, pulling my Rimowa*7 suitcase marks the start of an adventure.
A good product has the power to move people. I believe this power lies not only in its functionality or beauty, but in its ability to "inspire" actions and emotions.
GINRYOKU TEAWARE also aim to transform the act of brewing tea into a slightly more special moment. The small tea bag stand on the desk, the silver lid that retains heat. Each form is imbued with design that alters behavior.
III. What is Design?
I find the beauty of Edward Greer's famous Last 808*8, an industrial product, more appealing than fully custom-made shoes tailored to my feet. The Jaguar Mark II*9, the Tyrrell*10 racing car "Tyrrell P34," and the Supermarine Wallas*11 used by the British Navy as an amphibious reconnaissance aircraft. What they have in common is the beauty that comes from the refinement of function.
GINRYOKU TEAWARE values forms born from function, not decoration. When touched by hand, when touched by light, they subtly alter the user's actions. It is the accumulation of these minute changes that enriches daily life.
IV. Between Art and Craft
Art conveys ideas. Crafts dissolve ideas into daily life.
It is perfected through use and accumulates time through repair. The "unfinished beauty" that resides in this process is, I believe, the very charm of craft.
GINRYOKU TEAWARE strives not to create tools discussed like art, but rather objects that gradually deepen their connection with people through daily life. Repairable materials, designs that inspire action, and structures built to last—the ideal lies in the balance of these three elements.
V. Creating and Nurturing
The "Gripping Stone Daruma"*4 we once created was born from that very sentiment. Simply holding it in your palm would gather your thoughts and calm your mind— it was a small tool for keeping peace of mind close at hand.
GINRYOKU TEAWARE is an extension of this philosophy. Materials that can be nurtured, designs that are both beautiful and functional, and structures that deepen in affection the longer they are used.
Crafts are not to be "owned" but to be "nurtured." Through tea time, I wish to quietly revive that sense once more in the modern age.
Notes
*1 Hammered copperware: A traditional Japanese technique where copper sheets are shaped by hammering them with a metal hammer. This craft is preserved in places like Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture.
*2 Shimakura-do: A Tokyo-based bronze ware manufacturer. This long-established company also handles repairs, specializing in craftsmanship focused on long-term use, such as re-tinning.
*3 Edward Green: British shoe brand founded in 1890. It has gained worldwide recognition for its fusion of industrial beauty and craftsmanship.
*4 Grip Stone Dama: A product by Museo Factory. A hand-grip shaped object made of silver, created with the theme of "a sense of security in your hand."
*5 Double Monk: A style of leather shoe featuring two buckles. More formal than lace-ups, it combines ease of wear with a distinctive presence.
*6 Westminster: The model name of Edward Green's signature double monk strap shoes. A distinguished name reminiscent of the British Parliament.
*7 RIMOWA: A German luxury suitcase brand founded in 1898. Known for its robust and functional designs crafted from aluminum and polycarbonate.
*8 808: The last (wooden mold) number for Edward Greer. It has a slender and elegant silhouette, symbolizing the brand's aesthetic standards.
*9 Jaguar Mark II: A luxury sedan manufactured by British automaker Jaguar from 1959 to 1967. A renowned model that combined elegant body lines with high performance.
*10 Tyrrell: An F1 constructor active from 1970 to 1998. Known for innovative designs such as the six-wheeled P34.
*11 Supermarine Walrus: A British naval amphibious reconnaissance aircraft that first flew in 1933. This biplane was launched from shipboard catapults and used for maritime rescue and reconnaissance missions. It was characterized by a robust design focused on functionality.
Summary
This article explores GINRYOKU TEAWARE: the significance of building a long-term relationship with materials, and the power of products to evoke users' actions and emotions. The beauty that emerges from refining function is the essence of design; the difference between art and craft lies in whether it communicates an idea or blends into daily life.Crafts are meant to be "nurtured," not merely "owned." Through the ritual of tea time, we aim to reawaken the importance of using materials that can be repaired and structures designed for enduring companionship in contemporary living.