Key Facts
• 1995: Kanaru Kato born in Osaka, Japan; showed early interest in craftsmanship.
• 2013–2020: Lived in Germany, worked as a barista, and explored various jobs.
• 2020: Returned to Japan, visited Toyooka City, and joined a local artisan program.
• 2022: Declared independence after two years of training under a traditional craftsman.
• $20,000–$30,000: Price range for Kato’s handmade willow travel bags.
• 100 years: Lifespan of new willow bags, according to Kato.
• “KORI ANRI JAPAN”: Kato’s brand, blending traditional techniques with modern designs.
• Challenges: Declining demand for willow crafts due to plastic alternatives and lack of successors.
• Solutions: Kato focuses on modernizing products and increasing awareness of the craft.
• Historical Context: Toyooka’s willow craft dates back over 1,000 years, flourishing in the Edo period.
Summary
Kanaru Kato, a 30-year-old artisan from Osaka, has revitalized the traditional craft of willow bag-making in Toyooka City, Japan. After seven years in Germany as a barista, Kato returned to Japan in 2020 and joined a local artisan program. Under the guidance of a master craftsman, she quickly mastered the intricate process of crafting willow bags, which involves cultivating, peeling, and weaving willow branches. By 2022, Kato launched her brand, “KORI ANRI JAPAN,” offering custom-made travel bags priced between $20,000 and $30,000. Despite challenges like declining demand and a shortage of successors, Kato is modernizing the craft with innovative designs and raising awareness of its cultural value. With a history spanning over 1,000 years, Toyooka’s willow craft remains a symbol of resilience and tradition.
