Kaikado

We are honoured to be hosting master craftsman Taka from the legendary Japanese manufacturer Kaikado. He will be demonstrating his work in our front window, June 15th to 17th from 11am to 3pm. Visit us while Taka is here and receive a free personalized engraved scoop with the purchase of a Tea Caddy.

On Thursday the 15th from 5 to 7pm, there will be a formal presentation. RSVP is required, please fill out this form to attend.

Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With welcoming outside civilizations came the import of tinplate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item at that time.

In the Edo era, canisters made from tin became commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company’s founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item, the very same caddies that they still make today.