Surrounded by the mountains, fields and peaceful scenery of Echizen, Fukui, a modern two-storey building is home to Sekisaka’s headquarters. Washi paper, eyewear and forged cutlery are produced in the region, leading its craftsmanship to be renowned by professionals the world over. The district of Kawada, where the company is located, is a key centre for the production of both traditional Echizen lacquerware and contemporary lacquerware for commercial use. The family-run business has been active in this industry for more than three centuries and is currently led by twelfth-generation head Tatsuhiro Sekisaka.

The light-coloured building houses the company’s office as well as ataW, its multi-brand shop. The retail space is filled with original products, born from his desire to produce things that he would use himself. Joining these items are artist-made pieces and lifestyle tools that reflect his unique aesthetic sense.

Within the lineup, there’s the colourful Place tray and the Saro Renge Spoon, both of which are familiar members of Saikai Europe’s curated selection of Japanese wares. These beautiful items have a contemporary air and are made in collaboration with designers from Japan and around the world. Brought to life in the hands of reliable Japanese manufacturers and their time-honed techniques, they are designed to be open to interpretation, allowing them to find a place within people’s daily lives.

Delving into the company’s past reveals a history of continual renewal through innovation. At a time when lacquerware was simply wood and urushi lacquer, Tatsuhiro's grandfather pioneered the early adoption of spray-coating plastic with urushi, preserving the lacquer’s characteristic texture while enhancing ease of adoption. Taking on this challenge fuelled the rapid expansion of commercial tableware, which now forms a key pillar of the industry.

Today, Sekisaka designs reinterpret lacquerware conventions and are not confined to the field of tableware. This flexible approach reflects the DNA of a company not afraid of change, as well as manufacturing knowledge and sales expertise passed down from generation to the next.

Tatsuhiro’s own background has also shaped the development of unique products. As a student he backpacked overseas, developing a deep interest in international design trends from an early age. He was strongly drawn to the Dutch design movement Droog Design, leading him to study at Design Academy Eindhoven. Enrolled in the Man & Wellbeing department, which explores the relationship between design and wellbeing, he studied under designer Aldo Bakker. Upon coming back to Japan, he worked in a design office before returning to the family business. His participation in Japan Creative in 2016 led to the Store series, marking the start of his involvement with various projects that represent Sekisaka’s current designs.

The foundation for his approach to making is a flexible and personal perspective. “In the end, I design things that I want to use,” he says. “Form follows feeling” is another philosophy close to his heart, having encountered it during his studies in the Netherlands. Staying true to his feelings, he creates products that are beautiful without being overly assertive. It’s this sense of white space that quietly brings rich colour to our daily lives.