Shimadzu Corporation, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, has a long history of involvement with traditional Kyoto crafts dating back to its origins as a maker of Buddhist altar fittings. Based on the company’s founding spirit of “We will gladly undertake the manufacture of whatsoever you may request of us,” techniques such as lacquering and copper plate processing were applied to create physics and chemistry instruments during Shimadzu’s early years. This quality of handiwork has been handed down in unbroken succession to the high-precision, small-lot, high-variety industrial products that we manufacture today. By fusing traditional Kyoto craft techniques with industrial products and working with Kyoto’s master artisans, Shimadzu has created concept models of unique one-of-a-kind products that can be used and cherished down through the ages.
This project explores the creation of new value that comes from fusing the values of traditional Kyoto handicrafts that produce high-quality handmade products with industrial products, which involve the manufacture of high-precision mass-produced items. As a long-established science and technology company located in Kyoto, Shimadzu hopes to contribute to promoting local and regional industry by collaborating and communicating with similar well-established local companies.
Traditional Craft Production Team, Shimadzu Corporation
It seems that there are fewer and fewer people who have the ability to recognize, use, and acquire good quality products. As the number of such connoisseurs dwindles, the motivation for craftspeople to make good quality products is also decreasing, and it is an age where it is difficult to train successors. Artisans have many problems, and while they tend to focus on preserving traditional techniques, there is also a need for artisans who care about their work to propose new approaches, materials, and techniques in a cross-cutting way that transcends traditional techniques. This initiative by Shimadzu Corporation is cross-cutting, and it is my hope that in their world of medical systems and inspection systems, which is normally far removed from traditional crafts, they will foster once more individuals of taste in their specialist fields.
Our association with Shimadzu started eight years ago when we participated in a cross-disciplinary study group that brought together people from various traditional industries. The idea about whether an exhibition related to traditional industries could be held in the lobby of Shimadzu’s Head Office was raised by Kyoto Prefecture. Based on the hypothesis that businesses would place orders for custom work using traditional techniques, the study group made a wide range of test items, ranging from souvenir sweets for visitors to day planners for employees, and we heard the exhibition was a great success. Since then, Shimadzu has signed comprehensive agreements with Kyoto Prefecture, leading to a good relationship with them and a variety of novel proposals.
Even as traditional industries face tough battles, it is important that they are able to assess the story behind a company and make proposals rather than just accepting orders and producing the requested items. Further, I believe that collaboration on equal terms with company planning departments will become one approach for traditional industries to take. I hope that the Shimadzu example will be an inspiration to many people and help them see a way forward.
