With “quick and cheap” being the priority for many manufacturers these days, Keiswi is a little neighborhood workshop that stands out for its near fanatical devotion to the creation of an ideal object. Their Aero Concept line combines the industrial aesthetics of prescision-crafted sheet metal airplane structural fittings with a craftsman’s love for creating just the right object for the task at hand.
Interview by Takafumi Suzuki
Translation by Claire Tanaka
Firstly, tell me about your main business, precision sheet metal processing. What is that, exactly?
We make onboard fittings for airplanes and shinkansen bullet trains; mainly the inside framework for the armrests. Those parts have to be made out of sheet metal with a high level of precision, which is why it’s called precision sheet metal processing.
Was this always a precision sheet metal workshop?
No, I took this company over from my grandfather. It’s quite old. Back in the old days, it was a regular sheet metal processing shop. But it seems my granddad had quite the skills on him. He was the chief builder for the replacement of the copper roof on Osaka Castle in 1931. That’s how good he was.
Did you learn your trade from your grandfather and your father?
I was always playing around in the workshop as a child. I guess you could say I learned by watching and copying what I saw. Both my father and grandfather are craftsmen of the old order. They don’t teach. I was never praised for something I made. If I made something badly, it got chucked. (laughs) So if it didn’t get chucked out, I figured I did alright. I never really had my sights set on being a craftsman. What I really wanted to do was become an illustrator, but I liked it and that was my environment, so I just sort of became a craftsman naturally.
Here at Keiswi, aside from your main business making parts for the inside of airplanes and shinkansen, you also have your own brand called Aero Concept. How did you get started with that?
At first, I just made something that I wanted, for myself. And when I used it to carry my drafts around in, people started saying “Make one for me too” and then through word of mouth, boutique chains like Beams and United Arrows came to approach me about carrying them, and then department store chains like Hankyu and Isetan approached me. And then they were featured in a magazine. Now, I even have several agents overseas representing the line. But I really had no plan to begin with, it just happened naturally. I don’t have the talent to make a plan like that. So in the beginning, it was just a case of me building something that I wanted for myself.
The hole-y design of the Aero Concept cases is quite distinctive.
I always see that type of material in the airplane fittings, so it never seemed like a design element to me. But it is a pretty neat look, isn’t it.
But you thought up this design yourself, didn’t you?
Yes, I did. The airplane fittings look cool, plus they’re lightweight and strong. On top of that, I riveted some leather onto the case that I brought back from Italy. I got it from a place in Pisa. I even went to the workshop there. I wanted to see the faces of the craftsmen, you know.
To go all the way to Italy just to make something for yourself, that’s quite the devotion.
I wouldn’t call it “devotion.” I just like it. It’s like when a guy likes a girl, he wants to know everything about her. It’s the same as that.
The chassis is reminiscent of the black body of a Leica camera
Lovely texture on the handle
Aero Concept really has a sense of refinement about it.
Good things just talk to you, you know? When you touch and fondle them, they start talking to you. That’s the voice of the person who made it. Things are inanimate objects, but when they’ve got soul put into them, they make the user feel like, “this is cool.” That sense of “cool” isn’t in the shape or the brand or the efficiency rating. Kindness, a sense of thinking of others. That is what’s really cool. The Aero Concept attaché case doesn’t hold a lot of documents. The reason for that is so that it sends the message, “I’ve come to see only you.” We want people to use it with that kind of thought for others. A bit of inconvenience, a bit of restraint, that’s what real style is about.
But, don’t you get requests from retailers to change the design?
Yes, but if they don’t understand what the products I make are about, I don’t want them bringing them to customers. That’s why although I get plenty of orders for the Aero Concept, I turn down requests from big trading firms. For example, the sound it makes when you close the case. I spent half a year working on that. I wanted to get close to the sound of the shutter of a Barnack-era
Leica camera. Those guys don’t figure that in to the value of a product. But sound is important.
I agree that perhaps sound is something people experience on a subconscious level. You put such a level of specialization into you work, and that’s why you turned them down.
Yes. Also, I turned down a chance to do a collaboration with a famous high-end French brand. After all, the leather on the bag would be changed to one with their logo, and that’s not something I would want for myself. It wouldn’t be mine anymore. The representative from the brand was really surprised. He said, “I never thought you’d turn us down.” But I never had any doubt in my mind. If I’d done it, I’d have been a millionaire in two or three years’ time, though. (laughs)
Most people would be blown away if they had the chance to make that kind of money.
But money is just paper. Of course, you’ve got to treat money with respect. It’s good to have some paper. But we all have to die someday. We’re just here for a short time. Say what you can say, do what you can do, make what you can make. You’ve got to value that. The biggest car manufacturer in Japan approached me about doing something together, and in the end the big guys even came out to talk to me, but I turned them down. They were all, “Do you know who you’re talking to?” and they never expected to be turned down. But it doesn’t work that way. (laughs) I may be small potatoes, but I still have my pride.
What do you consider to be the underlying motivational force behind manufacturing?
It’s probably not becoming of a craftsman to talk about “philosophy” but I think that’s what it is. How can I make something as beautiful as possible, how can I make it without any gaps. Thinking about how to solve those problems is a kind of philosophy. When I was still in training, one of my mentors told me to go outside and polish the car. So I was outside polishing it and he came and yelled at me, saying, “What are you doing? That’s not what I call polishing!” Polishing a car is a way to learn about the making of a car. You’ve got to notice that as you polish. “This part is this shape, that part is like that, all because of the thoughts and feelings of the person who made it.” Those thoughts and feelings, that’s the philosophy behind it all. That’s why there’s got to be an underlying philosophy running through everything if you want to make something good.
In light of your successes, I think your words will provide hope to a lot of craftspeople out there.
All this time, we craftspeople have been yelled at and picked on and now by making something ourselves and selling it, it’s bought by the end user and we make money. And on top of that, we get letters in thanks. That’s a great feeling… (laughs) So I really want my fellow craftspeople to keep up the good fight.
Keiswi
Hachimangi 3-8-10, Hatogaya City, Saitama
Keiichi Sugano
Born in Tokyo, in 1951. Sheet Metal Craftsman. President of Keiswi.
44 Comments
- Share and Enjoy:
PingMag MAKE is the sister site to PingMag. We use an interview format to put the spotlight on a wide range of people active in rural areas. We document the voices of these unknown heroes and broadcast them to the world. It’s the Japan-based magazine about people and making things, coming out once a week. We’re passing on the passion, ideas, skills, and life stories of people who are building today and exploring tomorrow: craftsmen, engineers, entrepreneurs, and inventors. Stay tuned!
Important Notice
31 Dec 2008
Looking at Tradition with a Scientific Heart: Ootsuji Asahi-do
16 Dec 2008
The Adventures of the Japan-made T-shirts: Kume
9 Dec 2008
Tying the Knot: Kikuyu
2 Dec 2008
The Stone Merchant: Sato Teiseki ten
25 Nov 2008
Preserving the Essence of the Kiri Tansu: Ogura Tansu Ten
18 Nov 2008
Natural Materials and Design: Tsuruya Shoten
11 Nov 2008
Learning From a Young Master: Ceramic Artist Ryota Aoki
4 Nov 2008
Tiny Works of Shogi Art: Tendo Satoh Takashi Shouten
28 Oct 2008
Tada Mokko: A Woodcrafter’s Tale
21 Oct 2008
Wow, a truly amazing man. The metal+leather briefcases are beautiful. I want one, but I don’t see a way to buy one from the U.S…
Posted by: Jung on August 6th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I agree. I love people like that who take such pride in their work.
Jung, try the contact page on their website. The first line is for your name, the next two are your email address, the second to verify, you can ignore the fourth line in the first instance, and, in the box ask about the lovely briefcases. It may work if somebody speaks English there.
Posted by: Anonymous on August 6th, 2008 at 2:02 am
^Thanks! I just sent them an email :-)
I did poke around some more to get a sense of price and their SuperTransPorter line has the most amazing handles… http://www.seimitu.com/main/products/supertransporter_original.html Leather on the handle is stitched through the metal. wow!
I must say… at over $2500, it’s no impulse buy :-)
Posted by: Jung on August 6th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Great article!
Posted by: Sravaka on August 8th, 2008 at 1:47 am
What an insightful interview. Thank you so much.
Power to the craftspeople!
Felicia
Posted by: Felicia on August 8th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is what craftmanship is.
Gave me a new perspective to Japanese technology.
Posted by: Jonathan.R on September 15th, 2008 at 12:14 am
[…] SOURCE: PingMag MAKE - The Japan-based interview magazine about “Making things” » Archive » Sheet Met…. […]
Posted by: 007 Who? Check out this sheet metal case « URBNMKT on October 11th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
“But we all have to die someday. We’re just here for a short time. Say what you can say, do what you can do, make what you can make. You’ve got to value that. ”
Keiichi Sugano truly shows in his beautifully crafted work.
It was very inspiring to read this article.
Thank you,
Emma
Posted by: Emma Howard on October 26th, 2008 at 4:08 am
[…] cool briefcase design from Japan at http://make.pingmag.jp/2008/08/05/keisui/ ! Sadly, even the smallest one costs around […]
Posted by: Found cool briefcase design fr… | The Várdai Family on January 26th, 2009 at 5:16 am
What about that beautiful statement: “… there’s got to be an underlying philosophy running through everything if you want to make something good”. I loved it! Thank you for teaching us.
Posted by: Cristina I on August 17th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Awesome website. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Podcast Business on May 29th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
one pill answer for all of my lack luster habits, please let me know.
Posted by: weightlifting routines on June 3rd, 2011 at 11:29 am
I have bookmarked this page so I can use it for future reference, thanks for the great info.
Posted by: All about Cats on June 5th, 2011 at 8:13 am
Gout is the most painful thing I’ve ever felt. Your website is a godsend! Thank you.
Posted by: gout cure on June 9th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others.
Posted by: future of computing on June 14th, 2011 at 4:47 am
people create distinctions out of their own minds
Posted by: future of computing on June 14th, 2011 at 8:19 am
Can I just get that wonder pill and call it a day.
Posted by: weightlifting routines on June 17th, 2011 at 11:14 am
Turbine Idroelettriche
Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Thanks,I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
Posted by: Anonymous on July 10th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
If u like soccer visit us!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Soccer on July 19th, 2011 at 2:31 am
süper site buyrun
Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on July 26th, 2011 at 12:33 am
Your blog posts are awsome. I like it. Please keep updating your posts.I think it is great for facial treatments for acne.
Posted by: facial treatments for acne on July 29th, 2011 at 3:13 am
I think you convey some interesting factors that not too many individuals discuss . It’s interesting to see it from this perspective. I really enjoyed the post!
Posted by: Bill Poulos on August 10th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Please give More information on these topics
Posted by: unitied health care on August 10th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
I always prefer to undertsand a brand new means of looking at it. Thanks for the information. I always like to undertsand a new means of taking a look at it. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: Examples Viral Marketing on August 17th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Hi, I like your website. I’m currently looking for golf supplies in the UK & USA.
Posted by: golf supplies on August 24th, 2011 at 3:05 am
Interesting information. I am joyful to search out this post as a result of I’m interested within the topic.
Posted by: Natural Products Database on September 9th, 2011 at 10:45 am
I really would like to learn more information about your business, what is it and why is it important.
Posted by: Perfect Pitch Recognition on October 11th, 2011 at 4:47 am
Text Message or Mobile Marketing is the future
Posted by: SMS Text Message Marketing on October 27th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
I am impressed with your website and interested in collectibles.
Posted by: Jim Shore Collectibles on November 2nd, 2011 at 3:36 am
I enjoyed studying this post. I am completely satisfied to search out this put up as a result of I’m interested within the topic.
Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 10:31 am
very interesting I got a lot of ideas from you article really it very useful informations.
cordless drill black friday
Posted by: buy 3dtv black friday on November 13th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Get drunk. Get laid. Go to Pattaya Thailand
Posted by: Pattaya Beach Hotel on November 24th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
school of thai massage and spa certificaes Association of thai treditional medicine Appoved by the Ministry of Health
Posted by: School of thai massage on November 25th, 2011 at 6:06 am
Sale Coffee Makers for you & Buy at Cheap Price
Posted by: Cheap Coffee Makers on November 26th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Anuncie no Katavendo e usufrua DE TODOS OS BENEFICIOS OFERECIDOS, NO KATAVENDO voce encontra: anuncio, anuncios, anuncie, anunciar, classificado, classificados, classificados gratis, anuncios classificados gratis, imovel, imoveis, autos, automoveis, automovel, veiculos, carros, motos, celulares, video-games, computadores, dominios, cameras digitais, livros, quadinhos, revistas, cds, cd, dvds, DVD, hd, informatica, eletro-eletronicos, eletronicos, audio, video, decoracao, joias, relogios, esportes, lazer, negocios, filmadoras, videos, selos, moedas, ferramentas, antiguidades, raridades, oportunidades, promocoes, empregos, curriculos, servicos, artigos esportivos, empresas, produtos, vestuario, revistas, Sao Paulo, sp, Rio de Janeiro, rj, parana, pr, classificados, katavendo, kata-vendo, catavendo, cata-vendo, an�ncios, gr�tis, gratuitos, gratuitamente, empregos, oportunidades, comprar, vender.
Posted by: An�ncios Gr�tis, An�ncios Classificados - Kata-Vendo on November 29th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for share …
Posted by: Partaji.com - share the info ... on December 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Do you have a very good site
Posted by: reza atayee fard on December 4th, 2011 at 9:42 am
One of the informative article I have ever seen. Thanks for the update.
Posted by: awesome recipes on December 12th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Your business sounds very interesting. It is great to have businesses that can contribute to so much to our society these days.
Posted by: Removing Tattoos Naturally on December 12th, 2011 at 6:32 am
I’m very lucky to have found this website, this is exactly what I have been looking for All I can say is wow, you hit the nail by the head.
Posted by: The Visayas on December 12th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Who does Christmas spirit better than New York? The famous poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ was inspired by a winter ride in downtown Manhattan in 1823, and the elf in the film Elf (with Will Ferrell) traded a spot in the North Pole for some Big Apple holiday time. Unsurprisingly, some of New York’s Christmas landmarks have turned into well-worn touristy ruts, and worth every second.
Posted by: L.A Hotels on December 20th, 2011 at 1:36 am
thanx for your valuable post…I love to see this type of interesting posts.
Posted by: Watch Movies and TV Shows | AioStream on January 1st, 2012 at 6:59 am
That is really interesting. What kind of improvement can you suggest?
Posted by: titanium visa on January 24th, 2012 at 10:02 pm