Founded in 1908 by master wood turner Komakichi Gato in Yamanaka Onsen (山中温泉), GATO MIKIO has since risen to international fame, winning numerous national and international design awards. Today, this traditional manufacturer from Japan is run by a member of the fourth generation of the Gato family, Masayuki Gato, who is dedicated to preserving the Yamanaka shikki traditions while carrying them forward to meet the demands of the modern world. The small hot spring resort (onsen; 温泉) is a town made famous by The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no Hosomichi; 奥の細道), a major work of Japanese literature by the poet Basho, who praises the hot springs for their rejuvenating waters. The town is also renowned for its lacquerware; the humid climate is ideal for working with urushi. A characteristic of Yamanaka shikki is the vertical tatekidori cuts, which make the wood more stable and bring out the striking patterns of the grain. To further enhance the natural beauty of the wood and the decorative woodwork, GATO MIKIO prefers to use fuki-urushi (拭漆), or the "wiping varnish" technique, also known as suri-urushi (摺り漆), or "rubbing varnish", in which a clear varnish is rubbed into the wood to highlight the natural wood grain. The raw varnish is applied with a brush, then evenly distributed, wiped off and carefully polished with sandpaper. This process is repeated five to six times and can take several months, with each layer adding strength and shine to the vessel.
GATO MIKIO's attention to material and detail is a manifestation of the two central principles of their process: the preservation of local heritage and a "back to basics" mindset (genten kaiki; 原点回帰). GATO MIKIO pays homage to Yamanaka's heritage as a site for onsen souvenir manufacturing while creating objects that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and adapted to today's world. To achieve this, the master craftsmen work with Japanese designers to create new shikki interpretations which hold a traditional, minimalist beauty and modern appeal while preserving Yamanaka shikki traditions and maintaining the local craftsmanship and artisan community.
