Founded in Kyōwa 2 (1802)
A tortoiseshell specialty shop where the entire store reflects a dedication to traditional crafts
Kameido has flourished since the Edo period as a place for worship and leisure, and even today it is lively with visitors to popular spots such as Kameido Tenjin Shrine and Tokyo Skytree. In one corner of this town stands Edo Bekko-ya, a shop specializing in Edo tortoiseshell products designated as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Bekko is made by processing the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle, which lives in the Caribbean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Each shell layer is very thin, and several layers are stacked during production. Because the pattern changes depending on the types of layers used, every finished product is truly one of a kind.
For this reason, tortoiseshell products require many days to complete. They are manufactured at Ishikawa Bekko Factory, located about 10 minutes on foot from the shop, and the steps change in detail depending on the type and part of the shell used and on customer requests. “To create products that customers will truly be satisfied with, we value each and every step of the process,” says the 7th-generation owner, Kotaro.
Their strong commitment to tortoiseshell also shows in their sales method — Edo Bekko-ya does not go through wholesalers or retailers, ensuring that makers connect directly with customers. This initiative began under the current head, Kotaro. He says it comes from a strong desire: “Even when customers select an item from the shelf, we want the makers to directly convey their passion and the production process so the customer can purchase with full understanding,” and “For those who request custom-made items, we want the maker to speak with them directly and create something even more satisfying.”
The interior of the store also reflects the desire to spark interest in various traditional crafts. Visitors should take notice of the counter table decorated with Wajima lacquer and Edo kumiko woodwork, the walls finished with plaster, and the large pillar-shaped showcase made of Yakusugi cedar, installed with the wish for the shop to continue for 1,000 years.
History
In Kyōwa 2 (1802), the company Ishikawa Bekko Factory, which produced Japanese accessories using Edo tortoiseshell, was founded in Nihonbashi Bakurocho. They began not as sellers but as makers, building a 220-year history centered on producing to order for wholesalers. The 6th-generation head, Hideo Ishikawa, is the only craftsperson in the tortoiseshell industry to be selected as a “Contemporary Master Craftsman,” and his son Kotaro succeeded as the 7th generation in 2003. In 2011, the directly managed store Edo Bekko-ya opened in Kameido.
No two tortoiseshell products are ever the same
Kotaro Ishikawa
The 7th-generation head of Edo Bekko-ya
At Edo Bekko-ya, many kinds of tortoiseshell items are sold, including one-of-a-kind tortoiseshell watches and eyeglasses made with tortoiseshell frames. For custom orders as well, the maker listens carefully to the customer’s wishes before production to deliver the ideal product. It is all to ensure that no customer ever regrets purchasing a tortoiseshell item—because no two are the same. Please visit Edo Bekko-ya someday, whether as a reward for yourself or as a gift for someone special.
This Notable Item
Tortoiseshell watches
These watches use tortoiseshell around the dial and in the band. The idea was created and first developed by the 6th-generation head, Hideo Ishikawa. Tortoiseshell watches are characterized by their lightness and comfort. They are lighter than plastic watches, and you can hardly feel the weight when wearing one.
Because of the properties of tortoiseshell, the band gradually molds to the wearer’s wrist over time, becoming more comfortable the more it is worn. Since tortoiseshell is an animal-based material, it is also safe for people with metal allergies who cannot wear metal watches. You can choose from what is available in the store, or have one made to order. Why not take this opportunity to create your own tortoiseshell watch?
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