About Us

Zohiko is a lacquerware specialty store in Kyoto, which was founded in the first year of Kanbun (1661).

In 1661 (the 1st year of Kanbun), Zoge-ya, the predecessor of Zohiko, started its operation to sell lacquer goods for daily use.
Nishimura Hikobei III was the master craftsman who was granted the title, “Makie-tsukasa” (master of maki-e—an Urushi lacquer technique that involves sprinkling gold and/or silver powder on lacquer), by the Emperor.
In his later years, he created the maki-e panel “Fugen Bodhisattva on a white elephant”.
Its beauty attracted lots of people in Kyoto, and they called it the “Zohiko panel” (“Zo” from “Zoge-ya” and “Hiko” from “Hikobei”).
Since then, the nickname “Zohiko” has been familiar to everyone.

Hikobei IV was appointed as a purveyor to the Sento Imperial Palace (the imperial palace of an abdicated emperor).
Hikobei VI was proficient in an elegant art, and produced a number of excellent articles such as tea utensils for grand masters of Japanese tea ceremonies.
Hikobei VIII exported lacquerware and was considered a pioneer of the lacquerware trade. He also established Kyoto Maki-e Art School and contributed to nurturing the younger generation.

 

 

Nowadays, we have developed a wide range of articles, not only luxury maki-e but also daily use table ware and interior goods.
We have also actively been collaborating with overseas companies and creators to enhance our possibilities and have been disseminating the infinite attractions of Kyoto-style lacquerware to the world.

With the motto of "Lacquerware which is beautiful to look at and fun to use," we aim to be a store that pleases our customers.

-Store Guide-

Our store is located in Teramachi-Nijo, Kyoto.

◆ ZOHIKO Kyoto Teramachi Main Shop 
Location： 719-1 Yohojimaecho, Nijo-dori, Teramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0916 JAPAN
TEL： +81-75-229-6625
Open hours： 10:00 - 18:00
Closed： Tuesday

  • Get off at "Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station" on the Tozai Subway Line, and walk 5 minutes from Exit 11.
  • Get off at Keihan Railway "Sanjo Station" and walk 10 minutes from Exit 12.
  • There is no parking lot, so if you come by car, please use the nearby coin parking lot or Oike underground parking lot.