Design Gallery 1953

Japan Design Committee is pleased to present the 795th Design Gallery 1953 exhibition, “Kaikado 150 Years: Changing While Staying the Same.”
Kaikado, Japan’s oldest handmade tea caddy manufacturer, celebrates 150 years. This exhibition traces its journey through three sections: “Past,” “Present,” and “Future.”
The “Past” features tea caddies from before the sixth generation, their verdigris-covered copper plates telling tales of history. The ‘Present’ showcases an impressive display of 150 caddies, commemorating the 150th anniversary. The “Future” presents items holding new potential.
Through tea caddies reflecting their eras, the exhibition displays the inherited craftsmanship and dedication to materials, accompanied by photographs by Mikiya Takimoto.
This exhibition embodies the owner’s vision of “communicating through non-verbal means,” inviting visitors to experience both the enduring essence and the evolving form. We invite you to witness the spirit of craftsmanship passed down across generations and Kaikado’s vision for the future.

Message from Motomi Kawakami, Exhibition Derector

• • Kyoto Kaikado’s tea caddies are built on empathy for everyday life and meticulous craftsmanship.
    Their history began with the production of tea caddies using tinplate—a new material combining iron and tin introduced alongside the Meiji Restoration. Now in its 150th year under the stewardship of sixth-generation master craftsman Takahiro Yagi, the brand has weathered the turbulent postwar era. These cherished pieces endure, beloved for their unwavering commitment to the fundamentals of craftsmanship—meticulous, hand-made items offering exceptional usability—and for resonating with those who seek to live each day with care.

Exhibition Outline

• Title: The 795th Design Gallery 1953 Exhibition
  “Kaikado 150 Years: Changing While Staying the Same”
• Dates: September 17 (Wed),—November 3 (Mon), 2025, 11:00 a.m.− 8:00 p.m.; closing at 5:00 p.m. on the last day ; free admission
• Venue: Matsuya Ginza 7th floor, Design Gallery 1953
• Organizer: Japan Design Committee
• Supported by: Kaikado inc.
• Cooperation: MIKIYA TAKIMOTO PHOTOGRAPH OFFICE Co., LTD., Kei Murayama
• Exhibition Director: Motomi Kawakami

Please refer to the Matsuya Ginza website for the opening hours and other information.

Kaikado：

• Founded in Kyoto in 1875 (Meiji 8), Japan’s oldest specialty shop for handmade tea caddies. Characterized by high airtightness and beautiful designs using copper, brass, and tinplate, each piece is finished by hand through over 130 processes. While preserving traditional techniques, the shop also offers products suited to modern lifestyles.