Kaikado

Experience a century and a half of handcrafted, artistic expertise and immerse yourself in the legacy of a six-generation family tradition with Kaikado – a book spanning the history and future of the renowned Japanese tea caddy manufacturer, in celebration of their 150th anniversary. Step into the Kyoto workshop where the world’s most iconic chazutsu are made with unparalleled precision, and get to know the artisans, their tools, and their long-standing passion and dedication to the craft through their own stories, presented in both English and Japanese.

Through rich and highly detailed original photographs, Kaikado explores the historic atelier, including the meticulous process required to bring a caddy to life, and the evolution of their timeless designs. Here, tradition and innovation intertwine to create objects that have been “refined to a point of near simplicity.”

With a sensitive reflection of Kaikado’s long heritage in the choice of materials, the book is printed on two ultra-high-quality paper types and with metallic colors that reflect the materiality of the chazutsu. Three different covers create a unique surprise upon unboxing, each representing copper, brass, and tin, for which Kaikado is famous. The chapters are separated by tactile, richly textured sheets that mimic Kaikado’s characteristic packaging, and the open spine binding – often seen in Japanese book publishing – emphasizes the book’s luxurious execution.

Product information:
Dimensions: 22 x 2.7 × 29.0 cm
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 290
Language: English Japanese