Launch of "ZenSei", a Brand Bringing "Zen to Everyday Life" Co-created by Kyoto Myoshin-ji Monks and Traditional Artisans, Available May 19, 2026

"ZenSei" (Pronunciation: Zensei / Official website: https://zensei-artisan.com) will officially launch on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as a new lifestyle brand crafted by monks from the sub-temples of Myoshin-ji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, and traditional artisans who have supported Kyoto culture for centuries.

The concept promoted by the brand is "Placing your heart in the temple." It proposes a "rich tranquility" amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life—akin to sitting on the veranda of a temple, gazing at the garden, and enjoying a cup of tea accompanied by a faint fragrance.

## Background of the Brand's Creation: Moving "Zen" from Special Occasions to Everyday Life
In recent years, amid the global mindfulness trend, interest in Japan's unique "Zen" culture has reached unprecedented heights. Conversely, many consumers voice that modern living spaces lack a traditional alcove (tokonoma), and they cannot find an entry point to incorporate traditional crafts even if they wish to.

ZenSei was born to bridge this "distance." The dignified air flowing through the temple grounds and the subtle breathing of materials harbored in the artisans' fingertips—both are redesigned to blend seamlessly into modern apartment living rooms, studies, hotel lounges, and gift scenes.

"Let's not let traditional crafts end as tourist souvenirs." "Let's not make temples something only for those who visit." Resonating with these thoughts, Kyoto's historic temples and skilled master craftsmen came together to launch this brand.

## Three Features of ZenSei

**1. Supervised and Calligraphed by Active Monks from Two Myoshin-ji Sub-temples**
Ittoku Yokoe of "Yotoku-in" (founded in 1583/Tensho 11), associated with Ranshu Genshu to whom Oda Nobunaga was devoted, and Yasumasa Yasojima of "Keishun-in" (founded in 1598/Keicho 3), which boasts a nationally designated scenic garden despite being a sub-temple, are in charge of writing the authentic calligraphy for hanging scrolls and framed art, as well as supervising product development. The sensibilities refined through daily ascetic practices and prayers, along with knowledge of temple-specific conduct and incense blending, are incorporated into the products.

**2. First-Ever Commercialization of Bamboo (Thinned Bamboo) from the Nationally Designated Scenic Spot, Keishun-in**
The brand's symbol, the "Bamboo Craft Room Diffuser," uses bamboo (thinned bamboo) specially harvested from the grounds of Keishun-in. Under the production direction of Hiroaki Nakagawa, the 11th generation head of "Takemata Nakagawa Bamboo Store," a prestigious bamboo craft lineage supporting Kyoto's history, each node is hand-carved and woven. This brand marks the first initiative to release bamboo from the nationally designated scenic garden—created in the Edo period by Gyokubenbo, a disciple of Kobori Enshu—into the world as tools for daily living.

**3. Returning a Portion of Sales to Temple Maintenance and Restoration**
For certain products, including the "Incense - Prayer of Keishun-in -" supervised by Keishun-in, a portion of the sales will be allocated to the restoration and maintenance of Keishun-in's precious buildings and gardens. Customers enjoying the fragrances and handiwork creates a "cycle of compassion" that connects Kyoto's cultural landscape, inherited for over 400 years, to the future.

## Co-creating Artisans and Monks

- Monk: Ittoku Yokoe, Yotoku-in, Myoshin-ji (Authentic Ink Wash Painting)
- Monk: Yasumasa Yasojima, Keishun-in, Myoshin-ji (Supervision of Incense and Bamboo Materials)
- Calligrapher: Ranshu (Authentic Calligraphy)
- Mounter: Hayato Kido (Mounting of Hanging Scrolls and Framed Art)
- Japanese Candle Artisan: Koichi Tagawa (Production of Japanese Candles)
- Bamboo Craft Artisan: Hiroaki Nakagawa (Direction of Bamboo Craft Reed Production)
- Photographer: Hiroaki Ichino (Brand Visuals)

## Product Lineup

**■ Hanging Scrolls & Framed Art**
- Hanging Scroll/Framed Art - Calligraphy "Zen" — Authentic calligraphy by Calligrapher Ranshu
- Hanging Scroll/Framed Art - Ink Wash Paintings "Mu (Nothingness)", "Mizai", "Yuzen Ken Nanzan", "Nyokon Houteki Ri Seiko / Kasai Seifu Fuyo Ta" — Authentic painting by Ittoku Yokoe, Yotoku-in
- Hanging Scroll - Ink Wash Painting "Shunsui Man Shitaku / Kaun Ta Kihou / Shugetsu Yo Meiki / Tourei Shu Kosho" — Ibid.
A "collaboration of masters" where authentic ink wash paintings by Ittoku Yokoe of Yotoku-in and modern calligraphy by Ranshu are tailored with Kyoto's finest luxury fabrics by mounter Hayato Kido. In addition to traditional hanging scrolls, modern framing that harmonizes with contemporary homes lacking an alcove is also available.

**■ Bamboo Craft Room Diffuser**
- Spring (Cherry Blossom Motif / A gentle, gorgeous sakura scent signaling the arrival of spring)
- Summer (Pine Motif / A "Zen" scent awakening deep silence and spirituality)
- Autumn (Bamboo Motif / A fresh, refreshing scent like standing in a bamboo grove after the rain)
- Winter (Facing Cranes Motif / A mellow, calm yuzu scent evoking the warmth of Japanese winter)
- Four Seasons Set (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
A unique design completed with bamboo from the nationally designated scenic spot, Keishun-in. Designed by the 11th generation Takemata head, Hiroaki Nakagawa, under the theme "Bringing the breath of nature to the tranquility of urban dwellings."

**■ Japanese Candles**
- Tea Scented Japanese Candle (Includes candle stand / Choice of Kyoto ware or brass stand)