Kaikado, a venerable Kyoto-based traditional craft house, and Panasonic have jointly released 'Hibikido' (Kyōtsutsu), a handcrafted tea canister equipped with a wireless speaker, in a limited run of 100 units. This exquisite piece allows users to experience the resonance of sound in their hands and appreciate the evolving patina of the canister over time.

The 'Kyoto KADEN Lab.' project, a collaboration between Panasonic's home appliance designers and inheritors of Kyoto's traditional crafts, began in 2015 with the aim of exploring Japanese sensibilities and the origins of craftsmanship to create new home appliances for a richer future life. While various prototypes have been developed, 'Hibikido' marks the first product to be released to the public. As the project's concept, 'Electronics Meets Crafts:', suggests, it achieves a new musical experience that engages the senses by meticulously fusing the unique handcrafted tea canisters made by Kaikado's artisans with Panasonic's digital technology.

'Hibikido' integrates a wireless speaker into an original handcrafted tea canister, allowing users to feel the resonance of sound in their palms. Leveraging the exceptional airtightness characteristic of Kaikado's tea canisters, the opening and closing of the lid is synchronized with the sound's on/off. When the lid is lifted, the sound emerges as if the aroma of tea leaves were wafting from the canister. As the lid is closed, a refined audio fade-out is experienced, responding to the slow descent of the lid due to gravity. In this way, 'Hibikido' offers a moment of richness through actions imbued with a sensibility that cherishes objects.

The main unit comes pre-installed with original sound sources created specifically for 'Hibikido,' allowing it to be enjoyed like a music box. The sound quality is also a focus, with a proprietary DSP (Digital Signal Processor) achieving natural, gentle sound across a wide frequency range, from low to high tones, that is easy to listen to. A bass reflex port enhances low frequencies, while a diffuser above the speaker provides a sense of spaciousness to the sound. The non-contact charging method eliminates the hassle of connecting cables and maintains the unit's elegant appearance even while charging.

Furthermore, the brass exterior material offers a smooth tactile sensation and gradually develops a deep amber hue with use. The more it is touched, the more its color and luster increase, changing its appearance over time to become a truly personal item.

Hibikido
Model Number | SC-KKL01
Connection | Bluetooth®
Dimensions | 80 x 91.5mm
Weight | Approx. 500g
Price | ¥300,000 (Limited quantity remaining)