The Man Behind the Brand: Mr. Toshihiro Futagami

Tell us about the inception of the Futagami brand.

TF: Takaoka is a leading production area for copper alloy castings, especially Buddhist objects, to the extent that outside of Takaoka, only Kyoto is comparable. There are a large variety of Buddhist groups, and depending on the group, objects and their place of use (the home, the temple, etc.) range from small devotional objects to very large statues like those found in Nara, Kamakura and Takaoka. Those who produce these statues are very specialized manufacturers and the number of producers who can do each part are limited.

Our company specializes in rindou, which are decorated lanterns used in the Jodoshinshu-Honganji sect of Buddhism. So far, we have mainly produced Buddhist objects, but nowadays demand for these objects has decreased because of trends such as secularization, lower temple attendance, smaller families, and changes in living environment. High-grade decorations, which were the main products of our company, have in particular faced severe difficulties, though there is still some demand.

In this situation, using the techniques we had developed, we have turned to producing items other than Buddhist objects. That was the impetus to create the Futagami brand around 2004. However, no matter how seriously we thought about what we’d like to produce, we weren’t able to find an answer, so we tried participating in various seminars, workshops, and classes to seek inspiration. In 2006, my predecessor passed away, and I succeeded him as head of the company, which resulted in a big change. In 2008, when Mr. Oji participated in a workshop organized by Toyama Prefecture General Design Center, I was introduced to him by the staff of the design center, and helped him with the challenge of creating a bottle opener. At that time we talked a lot about what we were thinking and what we wanted to do, and decided to work together. Then in January 2009, we launched the Futagami brand.

What was the first Futagami product?

TF: It’s the bottle opener, which was the whole reason that I met Mr. Oji.

Can you tell us a bit more about how you first met Oji Masanori and why you chose to work with him?

TF: The reason we started working together was purely intuition. Through our conversations,  I thought we could thrive working together.

In my opinion, brass as a material has recently gained much prominence. Tell me something about the material that most people don’t know.

TF: Brass is highly resistant to corrosion, relatively easy to work with and has been used since the old times in various disciplines such as architectural fittings, marine instruments, and water washing metal fittings. In addition, because of its pliability, an elegant, polished finish can be possessed. It also has a long history of use as a material in art objects and religious Buddhist paraphernalia. As a base material, the surface of brass oxidizes as its ages, and creates a uniquely serene texture. Until now, most brass products have been plated or painted, and due to the coloring that results from being surface-treated in this way, their true character is hidden, which I think makes it difficult to notice the maturing process that results from aging. Consequently, the younger generation tends to think of Futagami’s brass products as new metal or material, while the older generation says they feel nostalgic when they come in contact with our products. 

“… there is a certain sense of fulfillment when I take a piece of cast metal out of the mold and it has taken on the form I imagined”. – Toshihiro Futagami

As the newest President of the company, what is your favorite aspect of your job?

TF: For me, there is both a management aspect, essentially running the company, and on-site work as a creator. Both have their rewards, and are things I need to do, but there is always a special sense of fulfillment when I take a piece of cast metal out of the mold and it has taken on the form I imagined it in.

How many staff members comprise the Futagami company?

TF: Including me, there are twelve of us.

So, what does it take to work for Futagami?

TF: Being a fan of Futagami, and of Masanori Oji. Sharing our way of thinking and our value system in regards to craftsmanship. Being honest.

Futagami has had a long presence in Toyoma. Can you describe Toyoma Prefecture to our readers?

TF: That it’s rich with nature, with both the mountains and the sea nearby. The water is clean, and the food delicious. There are four seasons in Japan, but I don’t think there’s another region in the country where the changing of the seasons can be so clearly felt.

The food really is great! What is your favorite dish from the region?

TF: Basically, any dish that uses seasonal ingredients is going to taste good, but I like things that don’t mess around too much and utilize the ingredients themselves. Things like firefly squid sashimi, shabu-shabu, salt-broiled sweetfish, white shrimp sashimi, and seafood and vegetable tempura. It’s not an ingredient, but “yukari” shredded kelp rice balls are also good.

I assume you’re surrounded by beautiful brass objects daily. Which Futagami product do you use the most frequently?

TF: I think our bottle openers and trivets have now become classics. Among the bottle openers, I like the “Crescent Moon”, and among the trivets the “Galaxy”.

What is the direction of Futagami in the future?

TF: From this point on, we intend to increase the lineup of the Futagami brand. We are also preparing to launch a new brand centered on architectural components, as the Futagami brand is a little insufficient (in that area). The introduction is planned for this year – we’re thinking not in Tokyo, but a flagship store too in our hometown. In keeping with that, as we have up to this point, we want to go on making items that will be thought of as necessary and will continue to be loved and used for a long time, not flash-in-the-pan items aimed at being smash hits.

Finally, what is the best advice you have ever received?

TF: I’m now 54 years old, but when it comes to important junctures or turning points in my life, I don’t have any particular recollections of advice I’ve received from people. Maybe it’s because I’ve always tried to find answers within myself. However, I think the most important thing – what you absolutely need to do – is to always keep a smile on your face, no matter the situation.