COVERCHORD FEATURE

Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware FUUKIDOU
JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS WEEK 2024

We are pleased to present FUUKIDOU, renowned for Tsubame Tsuiki copperware from Niigata.
As part of this year’s JTCW event.

Japan Traditional Crafts Week (JTCW) 2024 will take place across 28 select shops in Tokyo, showcasing traditional crafts from various regions of Japan.

At COVERCHORD, we are pleased to present FUUKIDOU, a renowned maker of Tsubame Tsuiki copperware from Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture. During the event, we will be accepting orders both in-store and online.

In this special feature, we visited FUUKIDOU’s workshop for an in-depth interview. Along with highlighting their products, we explore the essence of their craftsmanship, which focuses on functional beauty and simplicity.

Tsubame Tsuiki copperware
FUUKIDOU

The History of Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware

Tsuiki Copperware refers to metalwork made by utilizing the malleability of copper. It is crafted by hammering and stretching a single sheet of copper to shape it into a finished product.

The origins of this craft date back to the Edo period, beginning as a side business for farmers who produced Japanese nails (wakugi).
In the mid-Edo period, craftsmen from Sendai visited the region and introduced the techniques for making Tsuiki Copperware, leading to the production of kettles. This marked the birth of Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware.

Additionally, the region benefited from a copper mine at Mount Yahiko, which provided high-quality copper, making the Tsubame area the only domestic producer of Tsuiki Copperware. The traditional techniques have been passed down through generations, continuing to this day.

Designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of International Trade and Industry in 1981, Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware is known for its smooth, glossy appearance achieved through hammering, and the unique patina that develops over years of use and care.
A wide range of household items are produced, including kettles and pots, each reflecting the distinct styles and colors of the workshops and artisans who create them.

Among the many Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware workshops in Tsubame City, COVERCHORD visited FUUKIDOU, with whom we have had a long-standing relationship.

 

Visiting FUUKIDOU

Established in 1945, FUUKIDOU’s craftsmanship, passed down through three generations, is rooted in two core principles: creating "tools" and maintaining "simple forms."

Easier said than done, creating functional tools requires sincerity and a deep understanding of the user’s needs, while simplicity leaves no room for shortcuts.

FUUKIDOU’s products embody both of these qualities, resulting in a quiet, understated beauty.

In the quiet workshop, the rhythmic sound of hammers striking copper echoes steadily.

This time, we spoke with the current president, Takeshi Fujii.
His career as a Tsubame Tsuiki copperware artisan began through an unexpected turn of events.

Born as the son of a copperware craftsman, Fujii had minimal involvement with the trade, helping out occasionally, but he had no intention of inheriting the family business.

After graduating high school and looking for a job, he came across a posting from Tamagawa-do, a venerable company known as a pioneer in the spread of Tsubame Tsuiki copperware, with nearly two centuries of tradition.

Though initially considering a career in interior design, Fujii was drawn to the uniqueness of the job and the fact that his grandfather had once worked at Tamagawa-do. He joined the company and, over two years of foundational tasks, built the foundation for his career as an artisan.

One of the foundational tasks was the "tin lining" process.
Fujii recalls that during his time at Tamagawa-do,
much of his work involved endlessly repeating this process.

When his father, the second-generation head of the family business, was hospitalized, Takeshi Fujii made the decision to take over.
Though he was enjoying his time training at Tamagawa-do, this choice was a difficult one. However, Fujii knew he couldn’t let the business his father built, along with its relationships with clients, fall apart.

“I need to return now,” he thought, and so began his career as the third-generation head of FUUKIDOU.

At first, Fujii spent his days mimicking what his father had done, learning by observation.

He also gained valuable experience selling products at department stores, which he says had a significant impact on him. High-quality, practical products rooted in daily life were always in demand. During this period, Fujii also connected with other successors of traditional crafts, learning from their shared experiences. These busy days sharpened his craftsmanship at FUUKIDOU, while also developing his perspective as a seller.

The final process involves stamping a mark
on the bottom and wrapping vine around the handle.

In this interview, we followed the production process of a coffee server from start to finish.
Watching a single sheet of copper take shape felt as though life itself was being infused into the product.

Takeshi Fujii's approach to craftsmanship has been honed through years of experience and interactions with various people.

A turning point came when he connected with a specialty coffee shop. Through collaboration with these professionals, who sought the perfect, most functional shape for a drip pot, Fujii’s vision of what he truly wanted to create became clearer.
FUUKIDOU’s products embody ultimate simplicity, free from any unnecessary techniques, focusing purely on practicality as a tool.

FUUKIDOU’s products embody ultimate simplicity, free from any unnecessary techniques, focusing purely on practicality as a tool.
Fujii continues to craft straightforward, functional pieces, not as an artist, but as a professional dedicated to creating items that seamlessly integrate into people's everyday lives.

In the workshop, composed of a small, elite team, young artisans can be seen hammering copper.
When asked about the widespread issue of finding successors in many traditional workshops, Takeshi Fujii quietly shares his thoughts as the leader of FUUKIDOU.
"Passing down the heritage of our region, brand, and techniques is important," he says. "But more than that, my role is to inspire young people to feel that they want to live as creators."

He observes that, despite concerns, many young people today are motivated and choosing craftsmanship as their career. Fujii believes that the key is providing opportunities for these individuals to discover their own creative path and identity as artisans.
"For instance, even under the FUUKIDOU brand, I make sure that each artisan’s name is stamped on the pieces they create and allow them to follow their work until it is sold. The experience of seeing something they made sell builds a sense of achievement."
"For instance, even under the FUUKIDOU brand, I make sure that each artisan’s name is stamped on the pieces they create and allow them to follow their work until it is sold. The experience of seeing something they made sell builds a sense of achievement."
He emphasizes that the goal is not just to preserve techniques or employment, but to nurture creativity.

"Even if their creations evolve outside the traditional brand or region, they can still contribute to Japan’s new era of craftsmanship."

No matter how much lifestyles may change in the future, tools will always be an essential part of daily life. FUUKIDOU’s products, designed to be cherished and used for years, are sure to become items that, once touched, you’ll want to welcome into your life.

JAPAN TRADITIONAL
CRAFTS WEEK 2024
Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware FUUKIDOU
Pre-order Event
at COVERCHORD Nakameguro

JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS WEEK 2024, an event connecting "creators," "sellers," and "users," will be held from Friday, October 18 to Thursday, October 31.

COVERCHORD Nakameguro will feature Tsubame Tsuiki Copperware by FUUKIDOU.
From the same date, FUUKIDOU copperware will also be available for pre-order on COVERCHORD Online.
Don’t miss this 14-day limited opportunity.

Friday, October 18 – Thursday, October 31
11:00 - 19:00
Venue: COVERCHORD Nakameguro
1-23-14 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

During the event, a curated selection will also be available on COVERCHORD Online.
Please note the following for the online pre-order event:

- The pre-order period will run until 23:59 on Thursday, October 31.
- All items are made-to-order. We cannot accept exchanges, returns, or cancellations due to customer preferences.
- Full payment is required at the time of order.
- Expected delivery is between late February and late March 2025.

VIEW MORE