The Beauty of Wooden Vessels That Harmonize with Modern Life

In 2010, news broke that Dom Pérignon officially recognized a champagne cooler made from Kōyamaki, a type of cypress known for its water resistance and durability, as its official champagne cooler. This remarkable piece was created by Kiyoshi Nakagawa, a Living National Treasure in woodworking, and his son, Shuji Nakagawa, the third-generation artisan of Nakagawa Woodworking Studio.

The champagne cooler, crafted using the traditional joinery technique of assembling wood without nails, was completed after two years of trial and error, involving the use of approximately 200 different planes.



Nakagawa Woodworking Studio began when Kameichi Nakagawa, the founder, completed his training at Tarugen, a long-established barrel maker in Kyoto, and established the Shirakawa Studio in Kyoto. His son, Kiyoshi Nakagawa, inherited the Shirakawa Studio. Shuji Nakagawa, the third generation, learned techniques for barrels, joinery, carved objects, and lathe work from his father, then established his own "Nakagawa Woodworking Studio Hira Kobo" in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.

At Hira Kobo, they use carefully selected, high-quality Japanese wood (domestic natural wood) to create beautiful, unfinished wooden vessels using traditional techniques. Recently, they have introduced innovative designs, such as champagne coolers that defy conventional barrel-making norms, presenting a collection of works that fuse traditional craftsmanship with cool, contemporary design.

Shuji NAKAGAWA
Born in Kyoto City in 1968. Graduated from Kyoto University of Art and Design, Department of Three-Dimensional Design in 1992. Studied under Kiyoshi Nakagawa, the second generation of Nakagawa Woodworking Studio (a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property), in 1992, learning techniques for barrels, joinery, and lathe work as a woodcraft artisan. Opened Nakagawa Woodworking Studio Hira Kobo in Shiga Town (now Otsu City), Shiga Prefecture in 2003 and continues to work there today. Developed the official Dom Pérignon Kōyamaki champagne cooler in 2010.