Big In Japan : Kaikado
Big In Japan : Kaikado
The History of Kaikado
Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With civilization came the import of tin plate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item. In the Edo era, canisters made from tin were a commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company's founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item. His aim was to provide a well-designed, functional tea caddy capable of storing the type of tea leaves commonly sold by dealers. Showing sympathy for local traditions, Kaikado designed a product that would leave a lasting impression on the discerning Kyoto locals. A great many orders were received from tea dealers and hardware merchants alike. The tea caddies were tailor made to the requirements and needs of each and every store. In a time before the invention of the refrigerator, air tightness was key to maintaining the flavour and quality of freshly picked leaves for a period of one year.
Kaikado's tea caddies were a blessing in disguise to tea dealers, in particular in terms of their functionality. Before long, there was an increase in the number of stores supplying the tea caddies, in Kyoto and throughout Western Japan. A manufacturing process that involves anywhere between 130 to 140 steps, the hand-made tea caddies have virtually remained true to the designs established by Kaikado's founding generation. The die and mold used in the early years of the company is still in use today, whilst some shapes of tea caddy used 130 years ago are still in production today.
In 1916, the company was succeeded by Otokichi. The second generation, Otokichi was said to be the most able craftsman of all generations. The third generation, Hikojiro, successfully led the company through difficult times in which, preceding and after the 2nd World War, materials were scarce and tools also had to be sent away in the name of war. The period of economic growth that followed the war years, saw the advent of cheaply made, inexpensive tea caddies. Dissatisfied with this, the fourth generation successor, Shouchi, continued to make tea caddies in the traditional manner, at the same time developing a caddy made from copper. The fifth generation, Seiji, started producing tea caddies to sell to the general public and for this purpose introduced a portable caddy suited to the individual user. Seiji also developed a caddy made from brass. The sixth successor, Takahiro, developed a two-tiered tea caddy. He initiated the first ever collaborations with tea brands, and marketed his caddies abroad. Whilst maintaining tradition, Takahiro set his sights on the global market. Adding a new element per generation is a tradition that Kaikado has carried throughout its history.
Even as its horizons widened, Kaikado has made the same tea caddies it has always done. Doing away with excessive detail, the caddies are based on the pursuit of function. Their simple forms are overflowing with functionality. Each time a Kaikado tea caddy is handled, it develops a unique sheen specific to the type of material from which it is made. Witnessing the changes in color that develop over time will surely bring great joy to the person wishing to nurture their caddy over time. A tea caddy that has been filled with the memories of 100 years can be passed onto the next generation to treasure. With the hand-made materials and methods that comprise Kaikado’s selection of caddies, one can enjoy the expressions unique to each and every tin caddy, or the rapidly changing appearance of copper, or the mellow changes of color that make the brass tea caddies so unique. These qualities forming an important characteristic to its tea caddies, Kaikado have selected only materials with which this can be achieved.
The precision inherent in the hand-made process of the tea caddies is also unique to Kaikado. The double-walled construction guarantees excellent air tightness and will protect tea leaves from humidity whilst helping them to maintain their scent. In addition to being used for storing tea leaves, the caddies be used to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs. They can also be used to store English or Chinese tea, as well as coffee, spices, pasta and grain. We are confident that our customers will not only enjoy the long-lasting quality of our tea caddies, and the scents that arise with each removal of the lid, but experience the difference in function between our caddies and standard containers or boxes.
Having spanned 130 years of history, it is our wish to maintain the art of and passion for our tea caddies for future generations to enjoy.
Love the story of Kaikado, wonderful craftsmanship and design, you can have them customize your logo or any design on them and combine the brass, silver and bronze together, they are also useful for to store other ingredients like herbs, pasta and coffee. For more information and ordering please visit their beautiful site. Your kitchen would look magnificent with these caddy's gleaming.
Utsukushii xo
Pictures sourced via,
www.kaikado.jp
www.designboom.com
More Posts from Visionofsplendor and Others
Let The Music Play
Edition10 Headphones via Ultrasone
Edition8 Headphones via Ultrasone
Organic Harmony Sculpture Speaker via Shape Audio
Momentum Monoblock Amplifier via D'Agostino
Soprano Music Maestro Trunk via Pinel et Pinel
JAMBOX Wireless Speaker Big Sound Small Package via Jawbone
Sovereign MKII Turntable via Origin Live
Bight Stingray Earphones via Molami
BeoLab 5 Speakers via Bang & Olufsen.
CrystalDock via Calypso Crystal
Krystaline Niagara Glass Speakers via Waterfall Audio
Shagreen I-Case Music On The Run via Pinel et Pinel
Megaphone Speakers via en&is
Pleat Black & Gold Napa Leather Headphones via Molami
Eklipse Music Multi System via Sonoro
Endorphin CD Player via Pathos Acoustics
Yes that is a real size iPod! iNuke Boom via Behringer. 10,000 Watts weighing 700 pounds. Now that's what I call an iPod dock!
Happy Listening! xo
Carribbean Chic
New Designer Alert!
Haitian -Italian Stella Jean has truly marinaded both of her unique cultures to create a very individual collection. The Italian blood shows in masculine pinstripe and jean shirts and the Creole side comes in the choice of fabrics and patterns. Then these are taken to another level with the impeccable tailoring and the fun and elegant accessories which include the hair scarf's (would love to wear them like that) topped off with hats and some fun jewellery that was also created by Stella Jean. The formula works wonders, so could wear this in the summer but this is last years collection. But I loved it so much that I had to share who cares what season it is or what year it is.
In the meantime enjoy the Caribbean via Italia! xo
Moda Operandi had a trunk show of her pieces , I think Matches London will be stocking her this year too. Browse her site for stockists and video of the show.
All images via,
STELLA JEAN
A Wally Of A Dream
"A man is never Lost at Sea " Ernest Hemingway
Darkness has set in here in England, and am craving the sun and the sea like crazy, for me there is nothing like that first dip in the ocean after cold winter months. As I live in London I try and escape by looking at images of islands , beaches and boats. I stumbled on this incredible image of the sea and in it this unique beauty of a power boat, what was it? The razor sharp perfect lines looked it had come from the future , am usually more old school but this boat has soul and spectacular craftsmanship.
Luca Bassani Antivari a man with 40 years of sailing experience created his masterpiece when he could not find a boat that fit into all his requirements, so he decided to craft his dream into a reality. Combining his passion for design, performence and his passion for the sea Wally Boats was born. Whether its a speed power boat, a sailing boat or a yacht the Wally World of boats are innovative and intriguing.
Wally has a project in collaboration with Hermes called the WHY, is it boat, an island, a house on the sea? I think its all of them, what genius!! The Wally Company are also famous for their phenomenal racing engineering , in the summer they stage more than 30 races called FT Wally Grand Prix Series. At the moment some of their boats are taking part in the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Regatta from Tenerife to Virgin Gorda.
Wally Designs are the two time winners of The Compasso D'Oro the world's most prestigious prize fro industrial design.
Luca Bassani Antivari followed his vision and turned into a reality and boy am I glad he did, Would be perfect in a Bond movie.
Have a look at the website there are so many choices to look at, more technical information for those who want it and a lot of interesting projects.
Ship Ahoy! xo
All Images via www.wally.com
Baitil Aman, Lamu Island, Kenya. Photo Sandy B
Henri Biva (French, 1848-1928)
Pond in the mist, 1910
Oil on canvas
LONDON CULTURE NOV 2013 Klee & The Chinese Masters
Qui Ying ,Saying Farewell at Xunyang (Detail) Early 16th Century. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City
Gaze of Silence Paul Klee 1932
Possibly Emperor Huizong, Auspicious Cranes 1112. Liaoning Provincial Museum
Comedy Paul Klee 1921
Attributed to Shi Ke, Two Chan Patriarchs Harmonising their Minds . 13th Century .
Chen Rong Nine Dragons (detail) 1244
Historical Site Paul Klee 1927
Yuan Jiang The Palace of Nine Perfections (detail) 1691
A Young Lady's Adventure Paul Klee 1922
This is my choice of London current important exhibitions.
Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings from 700-1900 at the V & A. An incredible assimilation of rare art works from collections around the world. Categorized in different eras ans styles. Objects of Devotion 700-950, The Quest for Reality 950-1250, Embracing Solitude 1250-1400, The pursuit of happiness 1400-1600, Challenging the Past and Looking to The West 1600-1900. The other part is that the exhibition is accompanied by the wonderful lectures and workshops not to be missed, Digital Dragons, Dim Sum Demonstration, Painting of The Mongol Dynasty in China and events for the whole family . Lastly there is a 14 day Imperial Jewels of China Cruise to be won and other prizes.. run to the V&A now.
Down by the River at The Tate Modern The Ey Exhibition: Paul Klee Making Visible, The "God" of Bauhaus . Abstract, geometric , organic. A magical man who was at one with cosmos as he was grounded in Life. He influenced so many other artist such as Rothko.
"He used to gaze for a long time at his prepared canvas before he began the drawing… I have never seen a man who had such creative quiet. It radiated from him as from the sun. His face was that of a man who knows about day and night, sky and sea and air. He did not speak about these things. He had no tongue to tell of them. Our language is too little to say these things… Klee, when beginning a picture, had the excitement of a Columbus moving to the discovery of a new continent. He had a frightened presentiment, just a vague sense of the right course… Klee set out to discover a new land." Jankel Adler on Paul Klee .
One of my favourite artists of all time Swiss Paul Klee's work is so refreshingly Modern but has the depth of another era that to me has not been seen in our Modern times of today.
"I cannot be grasped in the here and now For I live just as well with the dead As with the unborn Somewhat closer to the heart Of creation than usual But far from close enough."
Paul Klee own words on his tombstone.
Enjoy.
Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings At The V&A
26th October 2013 - 9th of January 2014
Corresponding Workshops & Lectures
Paul Klee at The Tate Modern
16th of October 2013- 9th of March 2014
Sebastiao Salgado talks with Benedikt Taschen about Genesis and his profoundly moving experiences of what he has witnessed on his journey through the lens.
TASCHEN
INSTITUTO TERRA
HAPPY 4TH JULY
THE OVAL OFFICE BY JON RAFMAN IN THE STYLE OF JASPER JOHNS.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard
I am a big fan of Martyn Lawrence Bullard a very diverse decorator with incredible attention to detail, who connects with his clients personalities and then translates it in their homes.
No two homes are alike and you feel as if you have travelled all corners of the earth when you view the pictures. He also produces his own fabrics and furniture.
The homes are beautifully put together but yet are very welcoming and warm and have a sense of humour. Just like Martyn as you can see from the picture of him being goofy in front of an amazing painting by Keith Hering and now we can all watch him in action in the fun show Million Dollar Decorators. Hopefully it will air in England soon. I am hooked, Martyn, darling do you need an assistant?
All Photos via www.martynlawrencebullard.com
-
dulcisdomus liked this · 7 years ago -
reneekoehlar liked this · 7 years ago -
madebyhandswithlove reblogged this · 8 years ago -
sayhito-blog liked this · 9 years ago -
leluie liked this · 9 years ago -
lapalomekosis reblogged this · 10 years ago -
m-ban liked this · 10 years ago -
purpletintcrave reblogged this · 10 years ago -
creatorheej reblogged this · 11 years ago -
i-ningbo liked this · 11 years ago
-
raissadesign-blog reblogged this · 11 years ago -
mygirlgerms liked this · 11 years ago -
dezignsavvy reblogged this · 11 years ago -
mygirlgerms reblogged this · 11 years ago
-
motifjp-blog reblogged this · 11 years ago -
tigerine liked this · 12 years ago -
atomizz liked this · 12 years ago -
yanyaoming liked this · 12 years ago -
noumbissishot liked this · 12 years ago -
visionofsplendor reblogged this · 12 years ago
