that invite
happiness.
Would you like to share your lifestyle with ceramic figurines such as maneki-neko, zodiacs, and other prosperous symbols that will bring happiness into your home?
Here at Chugai Toen, our hope is to invite a little happiness into a variety of abodes through ceramic craftsmanship.
About Chugai Toen
About Chugai Toen
Chugai Toen was founded in Seto, a city with a history of ceramics dating back over 1000 years. We are involved in all aspects of ceramic production, from planning and design to manufacturing of good luck items such as maneki-neko, zodiacs, and seasonal decorative items. We strive to maintain our traditions and manufacturing techniques to craft modern examples of ceramic.
Ceramics and Chugai Toen
Since our establishment in 1952, we have continued to specialize in crafting ceramic objects using manufacturing techniques developed in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912) to produce Seto Novelty porcelain figurines. Although during the first 30 years most of our products were exported overseas, we switched our focus to domestic production. From maneki-neko to zodiacs and lucky charms and seasonal decorative objects, we continue to manufacture ceramics to suit the times.
Maneki-neko and Chugai Toen
Seto was the first place in Japan in the Meiji period to manufacture maneki-neko figurines using plaster molds. In honor of this history, Chugai Toen began making maneki-neko with this same technique. Because Seto-made maneki-neko do not have a fixed form, we have continued to create maneki-neko in a variety of designs to suit contemporary lifestyles.
Our business operations
Our business operations
- Chugai Toen online store
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Our online store stocks all Chugai Toen brands, including YAKUSHIGAMA, SETO MANKEI-NEKO, and SETOMANEKI.
- View（Japanese）
- YAKUSHIGAMA
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YAKUSHIGAMA offers decorative items that are distinctly ‘modern Japanese’, including lucky maneki-neko, zodiacs, girls’ and boys’ festival dolls, as well as seasonal decorative goods.
- View（Japanese）
- SETO MANEKI-NEKO
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SETO MANEKI-NEKO are just like real cats, with their distinctly realistic feline poses. They are crafted using the same traditional techniques as were used to produce Seto Novelty figurines from the Meiji period (late 1800s).
- View（Japanese）
- SETOMANEKI
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The SETOMANEKI brand concept is that of a new type of maneki-neko. It reimagines the ornament’s original purpose of ‘beckoning people’ in a contemporary style.
- View（Japanese）
- OMODAKAYA
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OMODAKAYA is a gift shop adjacent to the Maneki-Neko museum, selling a variety of related items and Japanese-taste goods including YAKUSHIGAMA and SETO MANEKI-NEKO brand figurines.
- View（Japanese）
- Maneki-Neko Museum
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The Maneki-Neko Museum houses Japan’s largest collection of beckoning cats – around 5000, in fact! – and exhibits traditional toys, antiques, and daily-use items. A variety of artists’ Maneki-neko works are also available for purchase.
- View（Japanese）
- STUDIO 894(YAKUSHI)
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This studio space contains a café and art gallery, where you can try your hand at painting your own maneki-neko, lucky charm, or bowl. Monthly-rotating exhibitions feature Japanese and international artists or special themed exhibits.
- View（Japanese）
Collaboration
Collaboration
Here, we introduce partnerships between artists and different industries.
Company Profile
Company Profile
- Trade Name
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CHUGAI TOEN CO., LTD.
- Representative
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Yasuhiro Suzuki
- Founding
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August 13, 1952
- Capital
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15 million yen
- Number of Employees
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42 people (as of January 1, 2024)
- Business details
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Ceramic crafts manufacturer
We specialize in maneki-neko, zodiacs, girls’ and boys’ festival dolls, wind chimes, mosquito coil holders, and other decorative and seasonal objects.
- Office
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Main Office
50 Yakushimachi, Seto-shi, Aichi-ken 489-0821
TEL (0561) 82-2354
FAX (0561) 83-5114Suhara Ceramics Studio
44 Suharacho, Seto-shi, Aichi-ken 489-0033
TEL (0561) 82-5829