YAMAGUCHI KYUJO Co., Ltd.
株式会社山口久乗
Takaoka city in Toyama prefecture is known as a production area of metal casting where they have 90% of the market share in the production of metallic articles for Buddhist rites in Japan. It was here that YAMAGUCHI KYUJO Co., Ltd. was founded in 1907 and while continuing wholesale and planning of traditional Buddhist objects, the company has also been developing unique products focusing on the sound of “Orin” (a type of bell), which is originally a part of Buddhist altar fittings. The current president, Mr. Toshio Yamaguchi has been pushing forward with the development of a new style of Orin which can be used as a lifestyle product with the wish of establishing a new genre of items for daily life beyond their ritual function. The effort resulted in the launch of a brand, “Kyujo Orin” which offers various use of Orin, such as door hanging bells or bell instruments. In 2010, the company displayed this brand during the Tokyo International Gift Show for the first time and they received the grand prize in the Craft Design Award. The event had created the chance to expand their sales channels to department stores and lifestyle shops that could not be obtained through the distribution network for ritual objects. The beautiful sound of Orin will cross the borders of religion and countries and bring peace of mind to people around the world.
富山県高岡市は鋳物の産地として知られ、国内に流通する仏具金物の9割を製造している。この地で1907年に創業したのが、株式会社山口久乗だ。仏具の制作と卸を行いながら、仏具の一部である「おりん」の音に着目し、ユニークな商品展開をしている。「仏具以外に日常生活で使ってもらえるものをつくりたい」と願っていた現社長の山口敏雄さんが、くらしの道具としてのおりんの開発を進めてきた。そして、ドアベルや楽器など様々な楽しみ方ができる「久乗おりん」のブランドを発足。2010年に、ギフトショーに初出展し、その年のクラフトデザイン大賞を受賞した。これが百貨店やライフスタイルショップなど、仏具では関わることのない販路の開拓につながった。美しいおりんの音が、宗教や国境を越え、世界の人びとの心の安らぎとなることを願っている。