Takaokaya — Handcrafted cushions and bedding from Kyoto
Takaoka Futon Co., Ltd. was founded back in 1919 as a futon manufacturer for a well-established Kyoto department store called Daimaru Kyoto. Takaokaya is a brand that places it’s pride upon their customizable and handcrafted Kangu products (relaxation products). Their goal is to bring happiness to the world by providing relaxation for day to day living.
Takaokaya products bring the Art of Kutsurogi and authentic Japanese living into your home. Their products are lovingly handcrafted by their team of meticulous artisans. Takaokaya’s range of cushions and bedding includes zabuton and ojami cushions in a rich variety of sizes, shapes, colors, fabric coverings and fillings.
Takaoka’s history
It Began with Futon
Historically kimono and futon products had a similar operating process in the fact that both businesses run on a made-to-order system. At the beginning of the 20th century, the leading kimono merchants started expanding itself and turning into department store. Around the same time, Takaoka Futon Co., Ltd. was started as a bedding manufacturer for a well-known department store, Kyoto Daimaru (now known as Daimaru Kyoto) and started supplying the people of Kyoto with futons and cushions. Shingu (寝具) was the word that was used to represent Takaoka products back then. It was a combination of the kanji character 寝 which means sleep and 具 which means tool.
From Shingu to Kangu
Entering the 21st century, due to western influence the traditional Japanese lifestyle has started to change. Takaoka Futon Co., Ltd. also started to reevaluate and adapt to the changes that occurred. As a company Takaoka Futon Co., Ltd. wanted to find and create products that fit modern life and made it suitable for the Japanese people. From that, the Takaokaya brand was born. From futons and traditional zabutons, Takaokaya has moved on into a new direction towards creating a product to fit modern Japan with Gorone Futons, Shiki Futon, and the iconic Ojami Cushion. From the traditional Shingu, Takaokaya has shifted in the direction of Kangu (寛具). The kanji 寛 which means relaxation, combined with the word 具, which means tool. Kangu was created to represent Takaoka Co., Ltd.’s new product category which are meant to be a source of relaxation in day to day living.
The Importance of Craftsmen
The stuffing stage is one of the most important parts of the production process. It does not only determine the comfort level of the finished products, but it is also what allows the product to keep its integrity even with frequent use. Takaokaya’s skilled craftsmen are concern with the longevity of their creation, so they would like to make sure that even in the future, each product is still as comfortable as the day it was made.
This concern to detail is especially important for Takaokaya’s ability to create custom made products. To make sure that they capture every detail of their customer’s vision and transform them into reality.
With our business mission as “For the benefit of everyone’s happiness,” we hope that we can bring a smile to all of our customers and everyone involved in our business.
The Skill of Adaptability
During the making process, a Japanese hand stitching technique is used to create the illusion of an invisible seam. To produce a beautiful result, this requires the technique to be applied and adapted to suit a variety of different materials. This stitching skill can only be gained through experience of handling various fabrics and understanding the characteristics of each materials.
Thoughrough Finishing
At the end of the production process, striking the cushion is essential. This step is done to make sure that the cotton filling can spread evenly. Middle stitches are applied to the center of the cushions to keep the cotton filling in place. It requires precision and a gentle hand to pass the needle through the same location back and forth through thick layers of cotton. The side tassels are also beautifully functional, as it helps prevent the cotton from coming out from the side of the cushions and finished with a trickly little ball knot on each tassel
Takaokaya’s Popular Ojami Cushion Collections — A stylish, harmonious blend of old and new
The ojami is an original cushion developed by Takaokaya over the last decade. The unique shape is inspired by the ancient Japanese beanbag toy called ‘tedama’, or ‘ojami’ in Kyoto dialect.
The ojami cushion is a funky, modern take on the tedama, a traditional Japanese beanbag toy that was filled with azuki beans. Handcrafted by skilled Kyoto artisans, ojami come in a rich variety of colors, fabric coverings, fillings, sizes and shapes to suit your taste and lifestyle. Amazingly comfortable and of a unique geometrical shape, functionally these cushions are designed for posture support and correction, and to be a beautiful decorative object suitable to any living or working space.
