Books and Toys Shelf Refresh Project!
A traditional Japanese 'Paulownia Shelf' that can be used as a shelf for toys and books.
Do you know about Japanese 'Paulownia Chests'?
The piece that has existed the longest in this place is this chest. Craftsmen adjust old furniture and give it a new life!
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We have a toy and picture-book shelf available for visitors. At our facility, we use a kiri tansu—a traditional Japanese chest made of paulownia wood—as the toy shelf.
A kiri tansu is a type of furniture that has been widely used in Japan since the Edo period, originally designed for carefully storing "kimono".
Paulownia wood naturally regulates humidity, protecting kimono from mold and insects. In Edo, where fires were common, its light weight made it easy to carry, which added to its value.
Over time, the kiri tansu became an essential part of a bride’s dowry. It is a piece of furniture that has been passed down through generations as part of everyday Japanese life.
So why do we have such a kiri tansu
Long before "KEYAKIAN", this place was a SUSHI restaurant.
The same location as the current Keyaki-an. About 50 years ago.
When this place used to be a sushi restaurant, the paulownia chest on the second floor was used by the proprietress to store and prepare the kimono she wore each day. It carefully held her garments and quietly watched over the daily routine of putting them away with care and getting ready for the next morning—surely for many years.
Time has passed, and now in 2020s, its role has changed.
Today, it has become an essential piece of furniture for storing children’s toys and picture books, continuing its quiet presence in a new way.
...However, the paulownia chest of drawers, having spent many long years, has recently begun to show a bit of wear and tear...
So this time, we have decided to boldly send it off on a repair journey!
Among our repeat customers, some have noticed and said, 'Has that charming paulownia chest disappeared?!' which makes us realize once again that it had become a part of the scenery of our establishment.
For now, replacement racks are being used, and we continue to deliver toys and picture books that have been carefully maintained to the children, so please rest assured.
This rack is a modern, simple piece of furniture with high storage capacity, and it also has the advantage of being easy for children to reach and view. Furniture made of wood is a traditional Japanese culture that values harmony with nature. We find aesthetic value not in consuming only new things, but in continuing to carefully use old things as well.
It is currently being beautifully refurbished by a craftsman. And once again, it will return to this place... It is scheduled to come back to the here in April.
From now on, we hope to gradually introduce the process of repairing the paulownia chest of drawers on this website and the KEYAKIAN's official Instagram, along with the work of the craftsman.