Sakami Kogei – Japanese craft

Sakami Kogei – Japanese metal crafts from Tokyo

The Sakami Kogei workshop in Tokyo is owned by Mr. Sakami, who has been working with metal for 26 years. He was born into a family in Kyoto where generations have lived as metalworkers – as he himself says, there is metalwork everywhere you look.

Hera Shibori and Metsuke

A large part of the production takes place on a heavy lathe, where trays and plates are shaped using the traditional Hera Shibori technique: a metal plate is clamped in a mold and rotated while it is pressed against the mold with a rod, a spatula. It takes a lot of experience to know exactly how to angle the spatula and how much force to apply. Finally, the surface is mattified with a traditional process called Metsuke, which gives the brushed finish. In the collection you will find trays, candlesticks, a copper kettle and the small Hime forks in brass and silver-plated brass.

Sold out

Sakami Kogei

Hime – small Japanese forks in brass (5 pcs)

HK$485.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Bank Tray – handmade Japanese tray in silver-plated brass

HK$910.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Handmade copper kettle

HK$2,792.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Obon – handmade Japanese tray in brass

From HK$971.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Hime – small Japanese forks in silver-plated brass (5 pieces)

HK$1,092.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Obon – handmade Japanese tray in silver-plated brass

From HK$1,335.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Bank Tray – handmade Japanese brass tray

HK$849.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

India – copper canister with domed lid, tin-lined

HK$3,763.00 HKD

Sakami Kogei

Sølvlysestage – Silver Candlestick (燭台 / Shokudai)

HK$7,280.00 HKD

Kogei means craftsmanship – things meant to be used

Kogei (工芸) is the Japanese word for craftsmanship: objects made by hand and meant for everyday use. The term covers a wide range of regional craft traditions – metalwork, ceramics, lacquerware, wood, textiles and paper – passed on from one generation to the next.

Five criteria for a recognised craft

Since 1974, the Japanese state has officially recognised the craft traditions that meet five criteria:

The object must be made for everyday use
The main stages of production must be done by hand
Traditional techniques must be used
The materials must be traditional to the craft
The craft must be practised in the region where it historically belongs

The recognition ensures that the techniques are passed on to the next generation and that the workshops can keep making things that would otherwise disappear. The most accomplished practitioners can also be named “Living National Treasures” – a personal honour that dates back to the 1950s.

Kogei at Rune-Jakobsen Design

This is why Japan has craftspeople who, drawing on centuries-old traditions, create beautiful and functional objects of exceptional quality. We have selected a number of them: Shinko makes copper tea and coffee caddies in Tsubame, Sakami Kogei shapes brass trays and forks in Tokyo, Shiratake Gama throws citrus juicers in Amakusa stoneware, Matsuda turns chestnut-wood trays on Kyushu, Nishitame builds bento boxes in hinoki cypress, and Osamu Saruyama makes knives, cutlery and trivets in steel, brass and cast iron.

All products are sourced directly in Japan – selected by us personally and passed on without middlemen.

Inspiration: Japanese craftsmanship: the difference between handmade and industrial production · Crafts with origins