Otsuji Sikki

Otsuji Sikki

Otsuji Sikki Inc.

About Company

KAGA, ISHIKAWA / SCREEN MAKI-E & GIFTS

The art of maki-e, made for everyday life.

Otsuji Sikki Inc. is a manufacturer and wholesaler of Yamanaka lacquerware based in Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan. Specializing in screen maki-e decoration, the company creates stationery, keepsake boxes, mirrors and temple stamp books, alongside custom gifts and commemorative pieces.

An artisan working with a screen to apply a maki-e design
Screen maki-e in progress. Image courtesy of the Otsuji Sikki website.
01 / About

Yamanaka craftsmanship for the things we use every day

Founded as a family lacquerware business in 1945, Otsuji Sikki was incorporated in 1976 and adopted its current legal form in 1996. Its roots lie in preparing lacquerware surfaces in Yamanaka Onsen, a background that continues to inform its approach to making useful, beautifully finished objects.

Led by Mutsumi Otsuji, the company brings its expertise in coating and decorative finishes to stationery and small accessories, creating pieces to enjoy at home or give as gifts.

02 / Craftsmanship

Precision printing meets the hand of the artisan

The company specializes in screen maki-e, a contemporary approach that combines screen-printed designs with the application of gold and colored powders. Artisans adjust the colors, printing pressure and alignment of successive screens to build up detailed patterns and lettering.

Surfaces are also prepared using spray coatings applied by hand. Materials and finishes vary by product: the range includes wooden pieces as well as items made from ABS resin and other materials with urethane coatings.

An introduction featured on the company’s official website.

03 / Collection

Decorative details for everyday rituals

TSUNAGUYO notebook cover with the New Growth pattern

TSUNAGUYO Notebook — New Growth

A notebook cover decorated with maki-e, bringing the rhythm and detail of Japanese pattern design to everyday writing.

Round compact mirror with a moon-and-rabbit design

Moon Rabbit Compact Mirror

A portable round mirror featuring a moon-and-rabbit motif, turning an everyday accessory into a small expression of Japanese design.

Miniature musical jewelry box decorated with irises

Iris Musical Jewelry Box

A small jewelry box with an iris design and a built-in music box, combining practical storage with decorative detail.

Images from the company’s official website. The range also includes goshuin books for collecting temple and shrine stamps, tea canisters, natsume tea caddies, business card holders, hand mirrors and mouse pads.

04 / Collaboration

TSUNAGUYO: Isa Monyo patterns meet maki-e

Launched in 2021, TSUNAGUYO brings together Kyoto’s Isa Monyo stencil designs and Yamanaka maki-e decoration in a collection of notebook covers. Motifs such as knots, chrysanthemums and new growth carry their own associations and meanings into an everyday writing companion.

The notebook inside can be replaced, allowing the cover to be used again. The company’s account of the project describes a close development process with the Isa Monyo design studio, from selecting patterns to refining the colors.

05 / Custom Orders

Maki-e designed for a particular occasion

Otsuji Sikki offers company names and logos on existing products, as well as custom maki-e designs developed from the initial pattern and color palette. Each project is shaped around its purpose, quantity, budget and delivery schedule, with materials and finishes considered before production begins.

Past projects featured on the official website include commemorative trays for sumo wrestler Kotoshogiku’s retirement ceremony, wooden presentation boxes for eyewear brand Ptolemy48, and goshuin stamp books for Eiheiji Temple. Options extend beyond decoration to the choice of material, color and box specifications.

Minimum quantities and lead times depend on the product and design. Please inquire about your project’s requirements.

06 / Features

Product features & announcements

BEAMS JAPAN / PRODUCT FEATURE / ENGLISH

A special-order wooden box with maki-e decoration

BEAMS JAPAN presents an Otsuji Sikki box decorated with Mount Fuji and pine trees. Its English product page explains the use of Noto hiba wood, screen maki-e and design details developed for this special order.

View the English product feature →
NEWSCAST / COMPANY PRESS RELEASE / DECEMBER 7, 2021

The story behind TSUNAGUYO

This company announcement introduces the collaboration with Isa Monyo, the decorative qualities of maki-e and the replaceable notebook format. It offers background on the collection’s design and development.

Read the announcement (Japanese) →
ISICO / PRODUCT CATALOG / UPDATED APRIL 17, 2020

Fuji Sakura goshuin stamp book

The Ishikawa industry support organization’s product catalog introduces a goshuin book with a black finish and gold-colored decoration, with details of its design and use.

View the product listing (Japanese) →
07 / Information

Company details

Company Otsuji Sikki Inc.
Representative Mutsumi Otsuji
Founded 1945
Incorporated 1976; adopted its current legal form in 1996
Address 13-5 Besshomachi Shikkidanchi, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0274, Japan
Services Lacquerware manufacturing, wholesale and retail; screen maki-e decoration; custom designs; personalized gifts and commemorative items
Products Stationery, keepsake boxes, mirrors, goshuin stamp books, tea canisters, natsume tea caddies and trays
Web

Inquiries about Otsuji Sikki

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