The company name “ShuShuken” is given by His eminence Arima Raitei, The chief abbot of Shokoku-ji Temple School of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. It means “The place where excellent and high-quality products gather”. The brand name “WAVOCA” has almost same meaning as ShuShuKen. It is the coined word that comes from Japanese word WA, “Japanese-style” and Latin word VOCA “Collect/gather” in English.
Beginning of Our activities
ShuShuKen introduce Kyoto’s finest arts and crafts. All products are hand made by artisans with skills passed down through generations. Find craft works with sophisticated techniques of artisans. SHUSHUKEN started from as a project called “Hyakunin-Hyakkyo”, one of a Kyoto city winter program which was held from the winter of 2005 to the spring of 2006. We participated in that event as an experimental project team based on Kyo-Machiya (Traditional Kyoto style house). Since then, in every autumn between 2006 and 2010, we had continued that experimental project such as Hyogu (paper hang) workshops, demonstrations of a Buddhist statues sculptor, Kyo-kazari (Kyoto traditional metal work) and Kumiori (Traditional fabric making) which was organized by Japanese traditional crafts association. After that, we set up a company to continue projects for ourselves, also in order to be handed down historical records of Kyoto traditional industries to future generations. We also would like to introduce materials and products those are used in traditional industries through our business. It’s our pleasure to support and pass the Japanese traditional culture to the future though our business.
