The World Takes Notice!! "Kateigaho x S.T. Dupont x Kagawa Lacquerware" The Art of the Four Seasons Residing in the Palm of Your Hand is Born

Lifestyle magazine "Kateigaho," published by Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc., has planned a special collaboration between the prestigious French brand S.T. Dupont's luxury lighters and Japan's traditional craft, Kagawa Lacquerware. Four works themed on the four seasons have been created, adorned with Kagawa Lacquerware decorations. These one-of-a-kind lighters, crafted with exquisite techniques under the supervision of a Living National Treasure, elevate the fleeting beauty of flame into eternal art.

Small Artworks You'll Want to Gaze at Forever Kagawa Lacquerware, established by Tamakaji Zokoku in the late Edo period, is a traditional craft characterized by its representative techniques of "Kinma," "Zonsei," and "Choshitsu," and its rich colors. In this project, contemporary artists have inherited these techniques and applied them to S.T. Dupont's highest-grade collection, "Le Grand Dupont," specifically to a gold lighter featuring a guilloché decoration known as "Diamond Head." The supervision was provided by Mr. Yoshito Yamashita, a Living National Treasure and holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property "Kinma." After a production period of approximately four months, four works expressing the scenes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter were completed.

Four Masterpieces Representing the Four Seasons are Born Spring: "Haruhikage" by Yutaka Ota A work that evokes the warmth of spring and the breath of life. The main technique used is "Kinma," where lacquer is applied more than ten times, patterns are carved with a Kinma sword, colored lacquer is filled into the grooves, and then polished flat. This piece employs "Nunome-bori," an extremely intricate variation of Kinma that carves 2-3 lines per millimeter. For the floral expressions, "Zonsei" technique is used, which involves drawing patterns with colored lacquer and adding line carvings for outlines and details. Le Grand Dupont "Haruhikage" (H66 x W39 x D14 mm, approx. 175g) 1,622,000 yen / S.T. Dupont (S.T. Dupont Ginza Flagship).

Summer: "Natsu no Hana" by Kyojin Yamashita Fireworks, akin to the flame of a lighter, are a summer tradition that excites people's hearts. This work expresses that momentary flash simply and dynamically using the "Kinma" technique. The "Maki-e" technique, where patterns are drawn with lacquer and gold or silver powder is sprinkled and fixed before drying, adds an elegant sparkle. Le Grand Dupont "Natsu no Hana" (H66 x W39 x D14 mm, approx. 175g) 1,622,000 yen / S.T. Dupont (S.T. Dupont Ginza Flagship).

Autumn: "Ro" by Emi Yabuuchi A piece full of autumnal sentiment, inspired by the Mid-Autumn Moon and a poem from the "Kokin Wakashu." Using the "Kinma" technique, the front surface is carved with irregularities, the moon is depicted with gold lacquer, and the background is filled and polished about 25 times with black and yellow-green lacquer, creating a blurred effect. The back features line carvings resembling a river on white lacquer, filled and polished about 25 times with a gradation from gold to vermilion, expressing a river dyed with autumn leaves. Le Grand Dupont "Ro" (H66 x W39 x D14 mm, approx. 175g) 1,622,000 yen / S.T. Dupont (S.T. Dupont Ginza Flagship).

Winter: "winter -1℃" by Hiroaki Matsubara The front design features rare snow crystals that sometimes fall in Kagawa Prefecture, while the back depicts a clear winter sky with a northern wind. This piece is created using the "Choshitsu" technique, where various colored lacquers are applied dozens of times, and then layers of colored lacquer are carved down to create raised patterns, offering a three-dimensional feel and tactile enjoyment. Le Grand Dupont "winter -1℃" (H66 x W39 x D14 mm, approx. 175g) 1,622,000 yen / S.T. Dupont (S.T. Dupont Ginza Flagship).

"Kateigaho"'s 9th Collaboration Project: Kagawa Lacquerware x Overseas High Brands This collaboration project by "Kateigaho," which connects Japan's world-renowned Kagawa Lacquerware with overseas high brands to showcase a new form of traditional craft, marks its 9th year. "Kateigaho" continues to disseminate Japanese techniques, aiming to captivate people worldwide across genres and countries, including fashion and interior design.

Yoshito Yamashita, Living National Treasure Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1951. Studied Kinma under Masami Isoi, a Living National Treasure, and Maki-e under Yoshikuni Taguchi. Has received numerous awards at exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2007 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2021. Certified as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property "Kinma" (Living National Treasure) in 2013. Dedicated to nurturing the next generation.

▼Past Collaborations 2025 Kateigaho x Fritz Hansen https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001963.000009728.html 2024 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Henry Jacques https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001706.000009728.html 2023 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Franck Muller https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001452.000009728.html 2022 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Buccellati https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001254.000009728.html 2021 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Kenzo Takada https://www.kateigaho.com/home/101384/ 2020 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Royal Copenhagen https://www.kateigaho.com/home/dento/75060/ 2019 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x RODO x Wako https://www.kateigaho.com/yosoou/42865/ 2017 Kateigaho x Kagawa Lacquerware x Sergio Rossi https://bit.ly/2U8YIZA

"Kateigaho May Issue" Price: 2,000 yen (tax included) "Kateigaho May Issue Premium Light Edition" Price: 1,400 yen (tax included) Kateigaho.com: https://www.kateigaho.com/