Home-based Memorial Urn [Kotsutsubo SHION]

Iwaki Co., Ltd. (based in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture; Representative: Keiyuki Kawamura; established 99 years ago), a stone masonry firm dedicated to "solving memorial problems," launched its home-based memorial urn "Kotsutsubo SHION" on its official e-commerce site in April 2026.

This "grave for the home" is proposed by stone masons to meet modern needs, where diverse memorial forms are increasingly preferred. It allows for all remains to be stored within, eliminating the need for burial elsewhere.

As a first release, two sizes are available: one suitable for the amount of remains typically brought home in the Kansai region (partial remains) and one for pets. A version capable of holding full sets of remains (common in the Kanto region and eastern Japan) is currently in development.

[URL] https://shion-store.com/

■ The philosophy as a stone mason
With the end-of-life planning (shukatsu) boom beginning around 2010, awareness of memorial practices began to shift. The concept of "grave closing" (ohaka-jimai) spread as a rapid solution to the loss of "grave keepers" due to declining birth rates and depopulation. Changing values prioritized "individuality" and "convenience" over "ancestral lines," leading to a gradual departure from traditional graves. Iwaki’s mission has consequently shifted from "building graves" to "solving memorial problems."

Since the 2019 pandemic, funeral services have become more simplified, raising concerns about the changing perception of memorialization. People have not forgotten how to pray; we simply wanted to propose a form of prayer suited to modern lifestyles, untethered by religion or convention.

■ Products from Nara
A grave that can be easily kept indoors. We sought environmentally friendly materials that could be easily disposed of when the time comes. We arrived at wood. With 100 years of history and local support, we had a strong desire to create a product made in Nara.

Thus, "Kotsutsubo SHION" was born, handcrafted by Nara artisans using Yoshino Hinoki cypress aged over 100 years.

The distinct rounded shape is inspired by the "gorinto" (five-ring tower), a traditional Japanese tomb form representing the five elements (earth, water, fire, wind, and sky). It symbolizes the natural cycle of returning to the earth.

The inner bag for the ashes is dyed with natural botanical dyes in beautiful purple—a tradition dating back to ancient times for the protective medicinal benefits of the plants.

This urn is more than just a "container." We want "Kotsutsubo SHION" to be a warm final resting place for loved ones, bridging the bond between those who remain. Nara makers craft each one carefully by hand, down to the manufacturing of the gift boxes and the sewing of the ash bags.

■ Options provided by stone masons: Powdering and Memorial Services
The amount of remains returned from a funeral varies by region. In western Japan (including Kansai), it is common to bring home remains in a 5-sun (approx. 155mm) urn. For these, we offer powdering services, allowing the remains to be stored in a size that fits comfortably in a home interior.

For those storing powdered remains, we offer optional interment memorial services at Taima-dera Nakanobo Temple (Katsuragi, Nara) and issue a certificate.

■ Specifications
- Kotsutsubo SHION Medium [Design Registration No. 1827451]: For 3-sun urns (no powdering) or 5-sun urns (powdered). Dimensions: 13cm(W) x 26cm(H). Price: ¥88,000 (tax incl.).
- Kotsutsubo SHION Small: For 2.3-sun urns (no powdering) or 3-sun urns (powdered). Also ideal for pets. Dimensions: 9cm(W) x 15cm(H). Price: ¥55,000 (tax incl.).

- Options: Powdering service (¥22,000 for Medium, ¥16,500 for Small) and memorial services at Taima-dera Nakanobo.