Komai Company (1841-Present)
The Komai family is one of the most celebrated names in Japanese metalwork from the Meiji era, renowned for their mastery of damascene and intricate metal inlay techniques. The Komai workshop became a symbol of excellence, producing distinctive and collectible pieces that are highly sought after by collectors around the world.
The Komai legacy began in 1841 when Komai Seibei, a skilled maker of sword fittings, opened his workshop in Kyoto. Seibei’s craftsmanship quickly earned a reputation for quality, especially in the production of ornate sword accessories. During the 1850s, Seibei pioneered the Nunome Zogan technique, a form of damascening where gold or silver is inlaid onto iron or steel surfaces. Initially used to embellish sword fittings, this technique later became the hallmark of the Komai family’s non-weapon metalworks. Seibei had three sons: Yoshitaka, Yoshihiro, and Otojiro, with Otojiro eventually emerging as the most prominent of the siblings. At the age of thirteen, Otojiro began training with Misaki Shushuke, a master swordsmith from Higo, and established his own workshop near his father’s. However, the Meiji Restoration and the Haito Edict of 1876, which banned the public carrying of swords, forced many sword makers, including the Komai family, to adapt to the changing times. No longer able to rely on demand for weaponry, the Komai family turned to producing intricate decorative items.
Fine and Rare Japanese Komai Iron Charger of large proportions available at Jacksons Antique
Otojiro Komai shifted the family’s focus toward creating smaller, decorative pieces such as cigarette cases, vases, jewellery boxes, and miniature cabinets. His expertise in damascene quickly set his work apart, and by the 1870s, he began selling these decorative items in Kobe, achieving financial success. The family workshop was producing not only practical objects but also larger works of art such as okimono, incense burners, and vases. Tragedy struck in 1885 when a fire destroyed Otojiro’s home and workshop. Left without a base of operations, Otojiro began working for a fellow metalworker, Seisuke Ikeda, although this arrangement prevented him from marking his creations with his own name. Otojiro eventually regained his independence in 1894 and resumed his work, applying the techniques and business strategies he had learned from his time with Ikeda.
Japanese Meiji Period Iron Charger by Sobei Komai previously sold by Jacksons Antique
As the head of the family workshop, Otojiro dedicated himself to refining the damascene craft, improving on the methods his father had developed. His work gained international recognition, particularly during the company’s most productive period between 1900 and 1915 when the Komai brand became synonymous with high-quality damascene items. The Komai family submitted their works to numerous national and international exhibitions, winning prestigious awards and solidifying their reputation. Otojiro retired in 1906, taking the name Komai Shusuke, but continued contributing to the family business until he died in 1917. The workshop leadership passed to his son, Seibei Komai, who took the name Otojiro II and continued to uphold the family’s tradition of excellence. Under Otojiro II, the company expanded its reach, opening new branches in Osaka and the Imperial Hotel Arcade in Tokyo, and diversifying its product line to include bronze and silver items. However, the rise of mass production and industrialisation in the 1920s posed a significant challenge for the Komai family. Cheaper, factory-produced items were replacing handmade objects, and the demand for labor-intensive damascene work declined. To stay competitive, the Komai company began using less gold in their inlay work and simplified their designs. The once intricate dragonfly motif that had been a hallmark of Komai pieces was reduced to a more basic form, and the word “JAPAN” was stamped on export goods to meet international trade regulations.
Japanese Meiji Period Komai Damascene Box attributed to komai company available by Jacksons Antique
By the 1930s, the company had shifted its focus to pearl jewellery, becoming an agent for the Mikimoto Pearl Store. After World War II, the Komai family ceased the production of metalwork altogether, dedicating themselves entirely to the sale of pearl jewellery, a business that continues to this day. Unfortunately, with this shift, the traditional techniques of Komai damascene were lost, ending a significant chapter in Japanese artisanal history. Today, original Komai damascene pieces are highly prized in the antique market, with collectors paying a premium for the intricate craftsmanship and historical significance of these objects. Identifying genuine Komai works can be challenging, as many inlay items are unsigned and must be attributed to the family workshop based on style and quality. However, the legacy of the Komai family’s exceptional metalwork continues to captivate enthusiasts around the world.