ITAYA SPIRIT

Products

Soft stone incense holder

Wood plate

Glass and wood flower vase

Rock & Snack Cup

candlestick

Santa Claus brings happiness

Nakagawa Forest × UNGAPLUS

Located in northern Hokkaido, Nakagawa Town is a town rich in nature, with 87% of its total area covered in forest. Centered around the mighty Teshio River, which flows north to south, the town is dotted with gently curving, crescent-shaped lakes, preserving a pristine waterfront landscape. One area that retains traces of the original landscape from the time of pioneering is Itaya. Owned by Itaya Miyayoshi, an Otaru merchant who spearheaded Hokkaido's modernization during the Meiji period, the area was cleared by settlers. Carrying on the legacy of his ancestors, we present the story of Itaya Miyayoshi through handcrafts by Hokkaido artisans using timber cut from Nakagawa Forest. This project explores the history that connects the two places, Otaru and Nakagawa Town, discovers their connections, and connects them to a future born from interactions with the people living today.

Otaru flourished as a logistics hub for Hokkaido from the Meiji to Taisho periods. In the Meiji period, Otaru Port rose to prominence as a commercial port, replacing Hakodate, and in 1882 the Horonai Railway opened, and the city also became a bustling coal shipping port.
With Otaru Port thriving as a commercial port, Otaru merchants led the modernization of Hokkaido. One of these merchants, Itaya Miyakichi, expanded his business into various fields, including shipping, warehousing, and shipping, and founded Itaya Shosen Co., Ltd. in February 1912 (Meiji 45). In exchange for giving his farm in Makomanai to the Hokkaido government free of charge, he acquired land in the Abirashinai area, which he developed as Itaya Farm, and the current place name "Itaya" was born.

Miyayoshi Itaya's achievements as an Otaru merchant were remarkable, and he was recognized for his abundant wealth and excellent management record. At the request of the Governor of Karafuto (present-day southern Sakhalin Island), he founded the Karafuto Bank and became its president. He also helped establish the Otaru Chamber of Commerce, the predecessor of the current Otaru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and worked hard to develop Otaru.

The second generation Miyakichi and Itaya Shinkichi took over the name after the death of the first generation, successfully diversified their business, served as honorary mayor of Otaru, and contributed to the city's administration. With a large donation, they contributed to the founding of Hokkaido's first municipal junior high school, now Otaru Municipal Nagahashi Junior High School, and traces of their activities remain to this day.

This is a collection of handcrafted items that allow you to feel the warmth of the wood grown in Nakagawa Forest. The beautiful tree rings are layered with the scenery of Nakagawa Town, which is rich in nature.
The text will allow you to imagine in concrete terms how ITAYA SPIRIT products can brighten up your life.
A wide variety of products available. Also great as gifts.
And so on.

"ITAYA SPIRIT" connects the memories of the two towns of Otaru and Nakagawacho. Enjoy the handicrafts that are made from wood grown in the "Nakagawa Forest" and are born from the overlapping climates.

Miyayoshi Itaya turned part of the Nakagawa forest into a farm, cleared it, flourished, and then became deserted for about 70 years. We created a logo based on the tree rings of the trees that watched over the area.
Located further inland from the town of Nakagawa at the time, Itaya was a harsh place for people to spend long periods of time, but in this place hidden in the forest, there are still a few remains and memories of the trees that serve as evidence that people lived robust lives.
This logo, which has a hole in the shape of Itaya in the tree ring, symbolizes that from the accumulation of history, the place of Itaya has once again caught people's attention, and that its memories and spirit will be passed on to the next generation.
Trees with holes in them are called hollow trees, and are said to be a symptom that often appears on old trees that have been around for a long time. However, trees in good condition are extremely valuable, and they are processed into wooden products that make use of their texture, so the name also carries the meaning of rebirth.

The creators who connect the land of ITAYA to the future.
Top row, from left: Ayako Takahashi / Hiroto Maeda / KIM GLASS DESIGN
Bottom row, from left: Hiroaki Shimizu / Tetsuto Kudo / Liaison

We listen to the voice of the wood, create a shape, and connect it to the user.