Kaikado

Experience a century and a half of handcrafted, artisanal excellence and immerse yourself in the legacy of a six-generation family tradition with Kaikado, a book spanning the history and future of the celebrated Japanese tea caddy company on their 150th anniversary. Step into the Kyoto workshop where the world’s most iconic chazutsu are crafted with unparalleled precision, and get to know the artisans, their tools, and their longstanding passion and commitment to their craft through their own storytelling, presented in both English and Japanese.

Through rich and highly detailed original photography, Kaikado explores the historic atelier, including the meticulous process required to bring a caddy to life and the evolution of their timeless design, intertwining tradition and innovation to craft items that have been “refined to the point of almost being plain.” 

Sensitively reflecting Kaikado’s long-standing legacy with their choice of materials, the book is printed on two ultra-high quality paper stocks and metallic inks reflecting the materiality of the chazutsu. Three different covers create a unique surprise during the unboxing experience, each one representing the copper, brass, and tin that Kaikado are renowned for. Chapters are separated by tactile, richly textured paper echoing Kaikado’s distinctive packaging, and the open-spine binding - often seen in Japanese publishing - underscores the luxurious construction of the book.