To protect what should not change, something must be willing to change
Since the seventh century, Ise Shrine has observed Shikinen Sengu, a ceremonial rebuilding every twenty years. Through that repeated act of renewal, techniques are passed on and the shrine remains forever young. That idea — renewal without rupture— lies at the heart of Tokowaka.
The name comes from that spirit. We believe truly good craft should not be preserved only as inheritance; it should also find a place in contemporary life. What is old, at its best, should still be able to arrive as new.
Why This Work Began
This did not begin because Japanese style is popular. It began with a belief that the things worth carrying forward are made from techniques, materials, and methods that have been taken seriously. In Taiwan, work like this still asks for a more careful introduction.
How We See the Work
We do not treat “tradition” as a label, and we do not treat “Made in Japan” as an answer. What matters is whether a work has a clear making background, whether it belongs in life as it is lived now, and whether it is worth understanding over time.
What We Hope to Build
The goal is not simply to create a place that sells things. It is to create a point of connection between Japanese makers, the work itself, and the Taiwanese market. Beginning with clarity and honesty, we hope to let collaboration, content, and trust take shape step by step.
Founder
Max
Raised close to Japanese culture, Max grew up with video games, manga, and anime, and continues to practice Japanese martial arts, holding a fourth-degree black belt in karate and a first-degree black belt in judo.
Rather than things that catch attention quickly, he is drawn to things made to be used and lived with for years.
He spent years working in brand marketing and communications, with experience across Japanese, American, German, and French companies. Along the way, it was the quiet precision of Japanese craft that made him pause and reconsider what kind of work — and way of living — felt worth building. He has always had a weakness for things that are thoughtfully designed and carefully made.
Outside work, he is devoted to a pair of orange tabby sisters and shares a home with his Japanese partner.
Tokowaka took shape gradually through that way of living and thinking.
Current Status
This project is still taking shape. The operation is currently in the process of being established, and the website for now serves mainly as an introduction to the brand’s direction, editorial perspective, and potential collaborations. Formal operations and additional content will be announced as preparation continues. In the meantime, early conversations are already underway with Japanese brands, workshops, and related partners.
TOKOWAKA CO., LTD.
2 F.-1, No. 130, Sec. 4, Nanjing E. Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City 105407, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
GUI: 62215821