MADE IN JAPAN
Made-in-Japan standard
On every work page, the “Making” row of the specifications states whether a piece is made in Japan and how sure we are. This page sets out the standard.
Conditions for “Made in Japan”
A piece is marked “Made in Japan” only when all three conditions are met.
- Main processes carried out in JapanShaping, painting, firing, weaving, lacquering, assembling — the processes that give the piece its value — take place in workshops or factories in Japan. Pieces only finished in Japan are not included.
- An identifiable makerWe can name who made it — which workshop or factory. This includes pieces designed by the maker and produced at a specific factory in Japan; in that case the manufacturer is named.
- The maker can explain the processes and the origin of materialsThe maker can state where the main processes took place and where the main materials came from. Imported materials do not disqualify a piece if the main processes were done in Japan, but the origin of materials is stated separately.
The two labels
| Made in Japan (verified) | Beyond the maker’s declaration, SHOKEI has checked the piece by visiting or filming the workshop, interviewing the manufacturer, or reviewing documents (photographs, delivery notes, process records). The date and the person who checked are recorded. |
|---|---|
| Made in Japan (maker’s declaration) | The maker has declared the grounds (place, manufacturer, processes, origin of materials) when listing the piece, and SHOKEI’s check is pending. The declaration is made on the maker’s responsibility. |
| Other | Pieces whose main processes took place outside Japan show that country (e.g. “Vietnam-made (maker’s declaration)”). |
How SHOKEI verifies
- Visiting the workshop or factory, or filming it (kept as a story or film)
- Interviewing the manufacturer (when not the maker)
- Reviewing documents: process photographs, material purchase records, delivery notes, certificates of origin
- If the declaration changes, “verified” is removed and the piece is checked again
What this standard is not
This is SHOKEI’s own standard. It is separate from, and no substitute for, labelling laws, rules of origin or official certification. If you find an error, please let us know via Contact; we will check and correct it promptly.