Our Short Story
We grew up in Shikoku, Japan, surrounded by traditional Japanese culture. Shikoku is famous for the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, where Buddhist people believe they can cut off worldly desires by visiting the temples.
Because of this environment, several of our relatives, including our great-grandfather and grandfather, were carpenters specializing in shrines and temples, known as “Miyadaiku.” Some became gardeners, while others became monks in Zen temples. Our uncle was a tea master and a Japanese flower arrangement master, and our father was his disciple. They always showed us only the Nageire style in our house, so we are not good at their school at all.
It’s a funny story now, but our first kids’ beds were made by our grandfather. They had tatami mats, and the bed boards were made from a wooden ranma carving of hawks on a pine tree. We remember we were very disappointed as kids to see such a pair of very Shibui beds because we wanted something more casual and modern.
Our grandfather’s house was built by themselves, with a nightingale floor, rooms with shoji windows influenced by Buddhism, and surrounded by a beautiful garden. Naturally, they were particular about the wood they used, and the house was adorned with decorative Onigawara tiles of cranes, hawks, and carps, along with the family crest. Now, looking back, We are always impressed by how the garden was designed to be enjoyed in every season. The garden had a tea house, a rock garden, and a koi pond with a stone bridge. We were often scolded for overfeeding the koi, trying to catch them, or climbing on the tiled roof.
Only our grandfather’s room had wooden flooring instead of tatami mats, and we were told to practice calligraphy there. We miss our grandfather’s house and garden, but they are no longer there. In Japan, we have many disasters and natural hazards, and we learned that everything can vanish in a blink. That’s why we want special people to inherit old things. Our grandfather used to say that old items are very strange; even if they take a detour, they will eventually find their way to the right person. We hope old items will find wonderful owners.
Thank you for your interest in our items. We pray that your days will be bright and shining.
Sincerely,
KAGITORA – Tom and Mimii
Registered Information
We are officially registered with the Japanese Government (Osaka Prefectural Public Safety Commission).
Japanese Antique Dealer Information
License Name: KAGITORA
License Number: No. 62101R050167
Web Shops
https://bb-antiques.jp
https://www.etsy.com/jp/shop/KAGITORA
Contact Data
Phone: Int’l (81) 90-53649385
Fax: Int’l (81) 6-63597808
Email: cs@bb-antiques.jp
Address:
1-8-27 Nakazakinishi, Kita-kuOsaka, Osaka, 530-0015, Japan
Address (Warehouse):
472 Mendori, Shikokuchuo, Ehime, 799-1113, Japan