About us

Amagasaki City, where Kishimoto Kichiji Shoten is located, is surrounded by Japan’s leading sake production areas, Itami and Nada. Since the Edo Period, they have continued producing komodaru and its component, komonawa, as a local industry. Most of the sake barrels seen offered in shrines are mostly produced by our company.

Spreading the Charm of Edo Period Culture
Kishimoto Kichiji Shoten's Tools for Celebration: 'Komodaru' and 'Kagamibiraki’

The komodaru culture began in Amagasaki in the Edo Period. Back then, sake barrels were transported to Edo by ship from metropolitan centers of Kinai such as Osaka and Kyoto. To protect the sake barrels from damage during their transport, they were wrapped in ‘komo’ (straw mat).
A ‘komo’ refers to straw woven into a cloth-like covering, on which logo designs of each sake brand are printed. This allowed people to identify the sake brand by its exterior, thus leading to them being called ‘komodaru’.

Contemporary Interpretations of Traditional Komodaru Culture

While maintaining traditional elements such as materials and production methods, we are always exploring new ways to convey our heritage, such as collaborating with designers. Innovation of komodaru culture is what we aim for through our product manufacturing. We want to create komodaru with a modern twist so that it can become a part of everyday life or be used for simple celebrations. With this passion of ours, the tradition will be preserved for generations to come.