Yotsukawa Manufacturing’s Rappa Slim

 

Just like ukiyo-e prints and the films of Ozu and Mizoguchi, there are many works whose value is reevaluated in Japan only after receiving high acclaim abroad.

 

The same is true for a vase created by Yotsukawa Manufacturing (Takaoka City) shortly after its founding in 1946, during the post-war era.

 

Founder Yukio Yotsukawa collaborated with Nitten artist Yoshio Murata to craft a brass vase.

 

That vase gained recognition overseas, and nearly 70 years later, Motomasa Yotsukawa, the company’s third-generation president, has revived it as Rappa Slim.

 

Rappa Slim

What led to the revival of this vase after more than half a century of silence? We asked Motomasa Yotsukawa.

 

“At the time, most of the other works Mr. Murata created for our company featured traditional Japanese designs. However, this vase was an outlier.

 

That said, I must admit that we only saw it as ‘a vase our grandfather made’ and failed to recognize its true value.” (Yotsukawa)

 

The third-generation president of Yotsukawa Manufacturing, Motomasa Yotsukawa, and Rappa Slim

The turning point came when Yotsukawa Manufacturing began promoting its brand products overseas.

 

“Our company has a brand called Kisen, which creates tableware by combining metal with other materials.”

 

Yotsukawa Manufacturing’s Kisen products

“During the promotion, when we participated in international trade fairs such as the German International Trade Fair and the Taiwan Craft Fair, we placed a vase by our founder at our booth to share our company’s history.

 

Unexpectedly, it attracted attention from overseas buyers, who, without intention, said, ‘We want to sell this’ and ‘We’ll pay any price, just let us have it.'”

 

The black vase in hand is an original piece made after the war. The one in front is the Rappa Slim, revived using the original mold from that time

Until then, the vase made by the founder was only treated as a memorable item created by our grandfather, even by the family. However, through the recognition of people abroad, Motomasa Yotsukawa, the grandson of the founder, came to realize its value.

 

The molds needed for remaking were still intact. Motomasa Yotsukawa decided to revive the original vase and named it Rappa Slim, deciding to bring it into production.

 

“The vase created by my grandfather was made from brass, colored, and hand-engraved with lines. Unfortunately, there are no craftsmen with this skill today.

 

To preserve the beauty and quality of the vase, we made various adaptations to bring it back to life in the modern era.”

 

 

As the name suggests, Rappa Slim has an opening that flares like a trumpet bell, with the neck, shoulders, body, and waist creating a slim, graceful line.

 

“If it were a Japanese design, the slim form would likely extend into a straight line, with the mouth reaching up toward the sky.”

 

The vase’s mouth is exposed brass, allowing you to enjoy the gradual color changes over time due to aging

“However, Mr. Murata, who designed it, was also a painter, so I believe he actively incorporated overseas cultures through European art.

 

Considering the time, just after the war, I think it was a very sophisticated vase.” 

Like Antiques from France and Belgium

Hiroyuki Akashi, the person responsible for product selection at Hokuriku Catalog

The product selection for the Hokuriku Catalog is handled by Hiroyuki Akashi, the producer of Hokuroku and a commercial space producer in the Toyama Prefecture.

 

After graduating from an art university in Tokyo, Akashi honed his eye for quality through his work in space production.

 

When launching the Hokuriku Catalog, Akashi identified Rappa Slim as one of the first products that should be featured.

 

Yotsukawa Manufacturing’s Gallery

“When I first visited the Yotsukawa Manufacturing Gallery, Rappa Slim immediately caught my eye.

 

Yotsukawa Manufacturing has two lines: the Kisen brand, which handles modern design tableware, and the Kisen-do brand, which focuses on cast metal works as high-end art pieces that emphasize Japanese tradition and craftsmanship.

 

However, Rappa Slim stands out in the gallery as a unique piece with its own established identity, not belonging to either of these lines.” (Akashi)

 

Products from the high-end art brand Kisen-do, which pours the craftsmanship of Takaoka copperware

Takaoka copperware is designated as a traditional craft by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.

 

At the gallery of Yotsukawa Manufacturing, which advocates for the fusion of tradition and innovation, Akashi recalls feeling a strange sense of excitement when he first encountered Rappa Slim, sensing an exotic fragrance.

 

“When I first saw it, I got the impression of antiques from France and Belgium. Curious, I asked Yotsukawa, and after learning about its history from the previous generation, I understood” (Akashi)

 

On the day he saw the vase at the gallery, Akashi immediately purchased two for himself.

 

“I had been searching for vases to place in the two guesthouses of Mizube no Minka Hotel, which I’m running. The moment I saw Rappa Slim, I knew I had found the perfect match.

 

Although it’s still not widely known, once you discover it, I’m sure you’ll want it.” (Akashi)

 

Yotsukawa Manufacturing’s products have a rich history of awards around the world, including the Hong Kong Design Award and Taiwan’s Best of Works. Does Rappa Slim have any awards?

 

“Now that you mention it, Rappa Slim has not been entered into any awards. Even though it’s a symbol of Yotsukawa Manufacturing, it remains unawarded at this stage” (Yotsukawa)

 

In response, Akashi says, “I believe it’s only a matter of time before Rappa Slim wins a long-life award.”

 

After more than half a century, the day may soon come when Rappa Slim receives the recognition it truly deserves.

A Deep Generosity That Responds When You Confidently Arrange Flowers

Some of the Staff at Yotsukawa Manufacturing. In the photo (left) is Motomasa Yotsukawa’s younger brother, Susumu, who serves as the executive director and is responsible for product design at Yotsukawa Manufacturin

I finally asked Motomasa Yotsukawa a simple question: What kind of flowers would suit the Rappa Slim?

 

Even without flowers, it’s impressive enough, but considering its origins, it seems incomplete without them.

 

Motomasa Yotsukawa also mentioned that it’s a product mostly purchased by women. The women who buy it must surely enjoy decorating it with flowers daily, experimenting with different arrangements.

 

 

“You can stand a single flower along the flow of the vase or let it hang; both are beautiful. Fortunately, we’ve never received complaints saying it’s difficult to arrange flowers in it.

 

If you stay true to your desire to decorate and confidently arrange the flowers, the vase will respond with the depth to match that feeling.” 

 

 

A single flower, with its delicate beauty, can significantly change the impression of a space.

 

With freedom of movement now limited by COVID-19, many may find themselves aware of a longing for flowers and greenery within familiar surroundings.

 

“I still find myself pondering, ‘What kind of flower should I display?’ In a good way, this vase continues to make me think,” says Akashi.

 

I, too, had a chance to hold it. Its appearance is subtly understated, yet it has a definite presence.

 

For those wanting to bring a fresh impression to their daily life with flowers, this vase seems perfect.

 

Whether under natural light, a lightbulb, or in a dimly lit room, it looks stunning. I felt it closely aligns with Hokuroku’s mission of restoring a sense of wonder to familiar scenes.

 

As the first item in the Hokuriku Catalog, I would confidently introduce it.

 

 

Text: Masayoshi Sakamoto
Photography: Tetsuro Yamamoto
Editing: Fumiya Otsubo, Masayoshi Sakamoto
Editorial Support: Hiroyuki Akashi, Mai Nakashima
Interview Support: Yotsukawa Manufacturing