ドン・ペリニヨンが認めた「1つ9万円以上の木桶」。年商3倍に大逆転した職人の執念【ガイアの夜明け】

▼Watch the full program (43 minutes) here▼ https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gaia/vod... ▼An episode that didn't make it into the main program: "The Challenge of Passing on Craftsmanship to the Future"▼ https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gaia/vod... ▼Register for a "TV Tokyo BIZ" membership here▼ https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/lp/?utm_... Nakagawa Mokkogei in Shiga Prefecture continues to make wooden barrels, a tradition that dates back to the Muromachi period. Its president, 57-year-old Shuji Nakagawa, is a wooden barrel craftsman with 34 years of experience. Their main traditional products are yutubs and rice containers, but sales have plummeted due to changes in Japanese lifestyles. Gaia interviewed Nakagawa in 2013. Nakagawa used his wooden barrel-making skills to try his hand at making a wooden champagne cooler. Amid his struggles, a turning point for success came. This was an attempt to "break the mold of conventional ideas about wooden barrels." By making the top and bottom of the barrel different sizes and shapes, he created an unprecedented champagne cooler. Though each one cost over 90,000 yen, it was recognized by Dom Pérignon, and 300 units were sold worldwide. Thirteen years later... When we visited Nakagawa Woodcraft, we learned that the production of champagne coolers has become mass-produced, with even the length, thickness, and position of the hoops quantified. He has developed approximately 20 new shapes, and champagne coolers now account for half of the company's sales, with annual sales tripling compared to 13 years ago. Nakagawa's challenge to overturn conventional ideas continues to this day. Leveraging his wooden barrel techniques, he entered the furniture market. He developed uniquely shaped chairs and tables, which he rented out to hotels for a fee. His "concept rooms," featuring Nakagawa Woodcraft furniture, are highly acclaimed, with a 90% occupancy rate and many repeat customers. Nakagawa's continued efforts to take on new challenges have helped the number of young craftsmen grow from just one to six. "My dream is to create a future where wooden barrel craftsmen will still be around 100 years from now," says Nakagawa. We followed the challenges of this wooden barrel craftsman, who is attracting global attention. #NakagawaWoodcraft #WoodenBarrel #Crafts #ChampagneCooler #KeizoKanaie #IppeiKanaie #GaiaNoYoake #TVTokyo #TVTokyoBIZ