TOKICHI, established in 2020 by Yoichiro Kai in Takachiho-Go Miyazaki , offers handcrafted sustainable interior decoration items using straw of rice plants. Yoichiro reinterprets the traditional techniques and roles of SHIME-NAWA and turns into interior decoration items matching today's lifestyle.
*SHIME-NAWA: a sacred rope (nawa) indicating (shime) the presence of the god.

Rice plants become straw after following the process of "WARA SUGURI" and "WARA UCHI". TOKICHI maintains the quality of rice straw by performing rice farming from seeding, on rice terraces obtained by cultivating steep slopes. These tremendous efforts lead to achieve premium quality creation.

Rice is the root of the Japanese food culture. Until 19th century, the harvest volume of rice has been the symbol of economy power of each region in Japan. TOKICHI aims to circulate economy around rice farming strong again to maintain and manage rice terraces in the mountain area. Since Takachiho-Go is registered to Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems in 2015, TOKICHI challenges to inherit the beautiful scenery of rice terraces and regional culture by developing its business through the world.

TOKICHI performs sustainable creation "born from the earth and back to the earth" with extremely low environmental impact possible.

TOKICHI uses 2 types of rice straw; delicate green straw with refreshing scent reaped before ears of rice arise, and strong gold straw reaped after rice harvest. Make the most of the unique qualities and characteristics of these straws, TOKICHI creates wall decorations, stools, kitchen & table accessories inspired from the Japanese ancient tradition.

Through the creation, TOKICHI expresses the Japanese aesthetics derived from the rice-farming culture. Takachiho-Go, the birthplace of TOKICHI is known as the terroir of the Japanese mythology. There, the mythology still exists in the local daily lives. Local people celebrate "KAGURA" festival by dancing for the gods, decorate their house with SHIME-NAWA.

TOKICHI continues to spread sustainable interior decoration items worldwide from Takachiho-Go, a land of GIAHS.