About us

https://www.kawachi1920.com/history-en/

Known for its contribution to the history of “Shinsaibashi Modernism,” the “Kawachi Art Supplies Shop” has revived its brand.

Osaka city has exceeded the population of Tokyo during the late Taisho period. It was once called “Dai-Osaka,” one of the world’s largest megacity and the symbol of modernization in Japan with “Shinsaibashi” being at the forefront of innovation.

The Kawachi Art Supplies Shop, as its name suggests, is an art supplies shop that was established in Shinsaibashi back in 1920. Kawachi has a reputation for its sophisticated and exquisite woodworks. Along with framed calligraphies and paintings, the manufacturing of “camera obscuras” was one of the key pillars of business. It later enabled Japan to become the major manufacturer in the industry.

Kawachi’s original products such as frames, art supply boxes and ink brushes were used by a lot of writers and cultural workers. The names were signed to distinguish the year of production by famous writers and to also determine counterfeit works. Kawachi has been handling paints, charcoal papers, watercolor papers and various art supplies from overseas at the time. * Kawachi was also known for taking care of the Japanese-French painter “Tsuguharu Léonard Foujita’s” works during the war, as well as maintaining friendships with Osaka ‘s renowned writers such as “Narashige Koide,” “Yuzo Saeki,” “Rinsaku Akamatsu” and “Gyo Fumon.”

Shinsaibashi was at the forefront of modernism and latest Japanese designs back then. The Kawachi Art Supplies Shop relocated to Shinsaibashisuji 1-chōme which was on the north side of the current Sogo Department Store designed by Japanese architect “Tōgō Murano” in the early Showa period. While the shop was operating its business under the name “Kawachi” until 2016, it received patronage not only from painters, but also from a wide range of artists including novelists, actors, designers and architects.

Currently, Kawachi continues to operate three art supplies shop in Osaka. Inheriting its original trade name, Kawachi Art Supplies Shop debuted in 2017 as a new brand.