Otakaraya Senkawa Station Front Branch Strengthens Appraisal System for Fragrant Wood and Driftwood for a Limited Time

"Otakaraya Senkawa Station Front Branch" will implement a limited-time initiative to strengthen its appraisal system for fragrant wood and driftwood from March 28, 2026 (Saturday) to April 30, 2026 (Thursday).

This initiative aims to expand opportunities for customers to verify the value of stored natural materials by strengthening appraisal services for fragrant wood (such as agarwood, kyara, and sandalwood) and driftwood, which have historically had limited consultation opportunities at the store. This is a new effort to expand the scope of services beyond traditional items like luxury goods, precious metals, and watches to include natural materials that are difficult to evaluate.

Background of the Initiative

Fragrant wood has been deeply involved in Japanese incense culture and Buddhist traditions since ancient times. Research materials from the Agency for Cultural Affairs outline the properties and historical significance of kyara, agarwood, and sandalwood. Furthermore, the Kyoto National Museum highlights how fragrant wood has been valued in Japanese culture since the introduction of Buddhism. Agency for Cultural Affairs documents also note that agarwood trees are subject to the Washington Convention (CITES), making this a field that requires professional verification not only for its cultural background but also for its distribution.

Meanwhile, driftwood is increasingly used as a material in contemporary art and spatial design. Exhibitions at the WHAT MUSEUM have featured works using driftwood to express living creatures, and the Benesse Art Site Naoshima also showcases works created with driftwood from the Seto Inland Sea. Given this, driftwood is increasingly viewed as a natural material that can be subject to evaluation based on its form and state of preservation, rather than just being considered debris.

Based on these cultural and material backgrounds, Cross One Co., Ltd. has decided to strengthen appraisal services for fragrant wood and driftwood for a limited time, as these are items for which it is generally difficult for the public to determine value.

Overview of the Initiative

This initiative will strengthen appraisal support with the following:

・Strengthened consultation for the appraisal of fragrant wood (agarwood, kyara, sandalwood, etc.) ・Consultation for the appraisal of driftwood based on its sculptural characteristics and state of preservation ・Free appraisal fees ・In-store purchase options upon successful appraisal

※ Items may be excluded from handling based on laws, origin, condition, or verification of contents. ※ For fragrant wood, material identification and verification of distribution conditions may be required.

Implementation Period

March 28, 2026 (Saturday) – April 30, 2026 (Thursday)

Future Outlook

As part of its community-based purchasing service, Cross One Co., Ltd. is gradually expanding its appraisal support to include stored items and natural materials that are difficult for the general public to evaluate, in addition to its traditional core items. Moving forward, the company will continue to expand its appraisal fields and strengthen consultation functions based on market trends and customer needs, aiming to be a purchasing window that is easy for local customers to consult.

【Store Overview】

Store Name: Otakaraya Senkawa Station Front Branch Location: 2-38-16 Chihaya, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Services: Luxury watches, precious metals, etc.