Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd. obtained B Corporation™ (B Corp) certification in August 2025, a designation awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance. In addition, the company will launch a new circular program in late January 2026 that reexamines “How Craft Should Conclude” — an initiative aimed at sustaining traditional craftsmanship for the future. The program will collect used products from the brand, restore and redistribute them, and return a portion of the proceeds to craft producers and production regions. Through this effort, the company seeks to rethink the “end of life” of crafted goods and promote a more sustainable cycle for traditional crafts.

Founded in 1716, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has long been dedicated to the art of “making.” However, the craft industry today faces a critical challenge: the rapid depletion of natural materials such as clay, lacquer, and dyes. With these resources becoming increasingly limited, sustaining craftsmanship for future generations requires more than simply creating new products. It calls for systems that consider what happens after an item is used — how it is circulated, renewed, and ultimately “concluded.” This understanding forms the foundation of the company’s B Corp certification and the launch of its new circular program.

B Corp certification evaluates companies across five key categories: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. After undergoing more than two years of assessment, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten successfully met these rigorous standards. The company’s business model — grounded in its mission to “Revitalize Japanese craft!” and build upon both “manufacturing and retail” as well as “support for craft regions” — received high recognition. Equally noted was the shared sense of purpose among all employees, which consistently guides the company’s daily operations.

Beginning in January 2026, the circular program will collect unneeded ceramics at stores, repair them — using techniques such as kintsugi when necessary, and resell them through company-operated shops. Items that cannot be restored will be crushed, purified, and returned to clay, then reused as raw material for new products. A portion of the proceeds from these resold items will be returned to manufacturers and craft-region organizations, helping to sustain a circular ecosystem of “making → using → releasing → making again.” Customers who return items will also have the opportunity to share memories associated with the product or messages to the craftspeople. These messages will be passed on to the next owner at the time of resale, further connecting people through the life cycle of crafted goods.

For Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, B Corp certification marks a new beginning in its journey toward becoming a better company, reaffirming its commitment to sharing the value of craft with society. By honoring tradition while shaping a sustainable future for craftsmanship, the company is creating a model for the next generation of craft leaders.

Related information

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd.
Website: https://www.nakagawa-masashichi.jp/company/