About Matsuda Kiribako Co.

Masuda Kiribako Co. was established in 1929 as a manufacturer of traditional handmade kiribako boxes made from paulownia wood (called 'Kiri' in Japanese).

Initially, the production consisted of boxes for traditional Japanese objects such as Hakata dolls and Shamisen instruments.

Later, Masuda Kiribako developed a wide range of wooden boxes for tea ceremony instruments, foodstuffs and other small household items.

Masuda Kiribako is run today by Hirofumi Fujii, who is the third generation. Born in 1987, Hirofumi is a young leader who has carried on the craft of his grandfather, the second generation leader of Masuda Kiribako. With Hirofumi, Masuda Kiribako continuously develops unique craft methods to create beautiful and charming wooden boxes

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1929	Having apprenticed in Hiroshima, Hirofumi's great-grandfather, Matsuyoshi Masuda, establishes “Matsuyoshi Masuda's Kiribako Shop” in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
1964	Land is purchased in Koga City, Fukuoka and Masuda Kiribako transfers to a newly built factory
1966	"Masuda Kiribako Corporation" is established with Hirofumi's grandfather, Hiroshi Masuda as the President
1979	A second factory is established in Shingu, within the Kasuya District of Fukuoka
1990	Masuda Kiribako establishes its own lumber yard
2002	Masuda Kiribako works are put on display in the Kyushu National Museum
2012	Hirofumi Fujii becomes President of Masuda Kiribako
2013	Collaborations with designers are started, and Masuda Kiribako launches production and development of designer products
2013	Masuda Kiribako moves to a newly built factory in Koga City, Fukuoka
2017	Masuda Kiribako's paulownia wood rice bin is selected by the JIDA Design Museum Selection *JIDA: Japan Industrial Designers Association