“F-TRAD” is a project that develops and certifies products that harmonize with modern lifestyles while utilizing Fukui’s traditional craft techniques and promoting their unique charm. The project is led by TSUGI LLC., a company based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, which specializes in regional and local industry branding. It has established a collaborative framework in which government, manufacturers, and designers work together on equal footing. Now in its forth year, the project has brought together six teams comprising traditional craft manufacturers from Fukui and designers from outside the prefecture. To date, this collaboration has resulted in the creation of 14 new products.

Each team represented one of Fukui’s traditional crafts – Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, Echizen forged blades, Echizen chest, and Wakasa lacquer chopsticks – and spent approximately eight months developing their products. Throughout the process, they carefully examined the history and techniques of their respective crafts while also addressing contemporary market needs and challenges. The resulting products seamlessly integrate the functionality and design demanded by today’s lifestyles, making them suited for everyday use. Pre-orders for the new products are now available through the official online store.

◾️ “F-TRAD” new products
Echizen lacquerware “Bonbonniere / Shin Urushi / Urushi no PartyCutlery”: Echizen-shikki co., Ltd (Korindo) × Yasuhiro Suzuki (SUPER YOU DESIGN)
Echizen lacquerware “URUSHI LAMP”: Nakano inc. × Rikuo Takata
Echizen washi paper “PAPER OR”: Yamagishi Washi Ten Co., Ltd × Taku Sasaki
Echizen forged blades “kayoi”: Yamada Hideo Shoten × Kosho Ueshima (TIDS)
Echizen chest “INORI / teo”: Oyanagi Tansu Ten × Kodai Iwamoto, Junichiro Oshima (STUDIO HAKKOTAI)
Wakasa lacquer chopsticks “Wakasa chopsticks kihada / irosuki / washi”: Ogishi Tadashi Shoten × Sakiko Nagasuna (SUNA)

◾️Related information
F-TRAD official website
https://f-trad.com/