Tomioka Shoten was featured in the Akita Sakigake Shimpō on October 31, 2025. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the coverage.
Located in Kakunodate, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture—often referred to as the “Little Kyoto of Michinoku” for its preserved samurai residences and cherry blossom-lined streets—Tomioka Shoten carries on the tradition of kaba-zaiku, the art of crafting with wild cherry bark. The company has been taking a progressive approach by introducing new perspectives beyond traditional forms. In 2024, it collaborated with international designers to develop interior panels utilizing unused cherry bark materials.
Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, which resulted in the loss of many business partners along the Sanriku coast, Tomioka Shoten began exploring overseas markets. Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily limited overseas activities, the company used that period to refine its strategy, focusing on values such as eco-consciousness and sustainability that are highly regarded worldwide.
The newly developed interior panels make use of the inner bark that was previously unsuitable for conventional kaba-zaiku products such as tea caddies and had remained in storage. “Finding ways to make full use of the materials we harvest has always been a key theme for us,” said President Koki Tomioka.
The concept for the product was proposed by a France-based designer with whom the company had long maintained a close relationship. By combining materials of differing textures, the collaboration resulted in panels with a distinct, organic aesthetic. The panels are now being installed in accommodation facilities within Semboku City.
“The enduring beauty of kaba-zaiku lies in its ability to be cherished across generations,” said President Tomioka.
He remains committed to sharing the timeless appeal of this traditional art work with the world.
— Reported by Riko Tamura, Akita Sakigake Shimpō