An Interview with Takahiro Yagi of Kaikado

Hailing from Kyoto, Japan, Takahiro Yagi, or “Taka” for short, is the 6th generation successor of Kaikado, a metalworking studio that has been producing solely tea containers since 1875. 

Taka is a master craftsman and close friend to Inform. We had the privilege of hosting him at our store earlier this spring and he was kind enough to sit down for an interview, where he discussed the family business, his passion for his craft, his love for fast car's and much more. 

Interview

*Inform: What does the name Kaikado mean?

Takahiro Yagi: We started Kaikado in 1875. At that time, Japan was reopening to the rest of the world and a lot of cultures were coming into the country. So, “Kaika” means “re-education” and “do” means “house”.

*I: What is the driving force behind Kaikado’s longevity and success?

TY: Since 1875, we’ve made the exact same tea containers until now. We have never changed. The diameters, the paths, the sizes, everything is the same. So, people bring by their hundred year old tea caddy’s to fix and use again. I think the fact that we’ve never changed is the reason we have been able to continue for 150 years.

*I: How does the cultural heritage of Japan influence the design and craftsmanship approach at Kaikado?

TY: The surface we use is a raw material, so over years and years and years, the colour ages and develops a patina. I think this kind of thing is influenced by Japanese culture; Japanese people really love the patina, taking care of the tea caddy and using it for a long time.

*I: What’s your biggest source of creative inspiration?

TY: I think the biggest source of inspiration for me is travelling worldwide. Im currently travelling around Vancouver, but I also travel throughout Europe, Asia, all over the world. I get to see good things around the world, as well as good things in Japan and they influence the design approach at Kaikado.

*I: Are you familiar with the concept of Ikigai?

TY: Ah yes, Ikigai is kind of like, “why I am living—what I am living for”. So for me, its family. In my workshop, there are lots of craftspeople and I feel like they are members of my family. Also, my family works at Kaikado, so Kaikado is my family. 

*I: How does Kaikado incorporate sustainable practices into its craftsmanship?

TY: Normally, you do not throw Kaikado products away—you can use them for 100 years, adjust them, fix them and use them for another hundred years. So I think it is a very sustainable product that we are making. Sometimes we are left with small pieces of raw material that we cannot use for tea caddy’s, so we make tea scoops. Also, during covid times, I started making Recreate Caddy’s, which uses the type of container that people normally throw away, like an oil can for a car, or a can of spaghetti sauce. We cut the material and remake it into a tea container. Thinking a hundred years into the future, we might not buy any new material, so if I can use things that humans are already producing in this world, maybe we can continue Kaikado for the next 100, 200, maybe 300 years.

*I: What’s your favourite aspect of being a craftsman?

TY: Sometimes, our philosophy is to never use words. My father always told me to watch and learn how to make the tea container, so it is like a philosophy that was passed down hand to hand, not hand to mind to hand. So, we (craftsman) are always passing down knowledge without any words. I think this point is very important for human life.

*I: What motivates you to wake up every morning?

TY: Ahh… Driving my car. *Laughs

*I: What advice would you give to younger craftsman who wish to follow in your footsteps?

TY: Gain a lot of experience in your craft and also go to other places, like foreign countries. Get out of your workshop, because crafts people stay in the house, but sometimes we need to go out to gain experiences and inspiration. 

*I: In another life, where you aren’t with Kaikado—what do you see yourself doing?

TY: *Laughs—I want to be a professional racing driver, because from 3 years old, my hobby was collecting these miniature cars and also, I really love driving. Sometimes on a Sunday morning, I have a small drive to the mountain side with my Porsche.

*I: Do your children intend on joining the family business?

I hope so, yes. I have three kids and maybe one of them, or all three of them—if they joined Kaikado, Id be so happy.

*I: What’s next for Kaikado?

TY: We are starting to prepare the new workshop. Currently, I have the land next to Kaikado, so I’m thinking about what kind of workshop I should build for the next 150 years, because the 150th year anniversary of Kaikado is coming up.

*I: Does this mean trying anything new?

TY: Hmmm. Maybe w’ell make a large building, where the first floor will be the workshop. Maybe the second and third floor will be where the crafts people can live, and maybe the fourth floor, people from outside of Japan can stay and experience crafts. I really want make that kind of building. I want to create a place where people can experience crafts for themselves.