On 7 July 2025, the morning edition of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun featured an article on the efforts of our company and other traditional craft businesses in response to the surge in gold prices.

Inside Out｜Unraveling the Present

Soaring gold prices shake traditional crafts

The article begins with the statement, ‘The price of gold continues to rise unabated.’
The following is an excerpt from our company’s statement.

‘Gold is used in every part, even those that cannot be seen.’ Keiji Okamoto, president of Okamoto Textiles (Kyoto City), which has been in business for over 100 years in Nishijin, Kyoto, says this. Nishijin-ori is known as a high-quality silk fabric. Among them, Kinran Brocade, which uses a generous amount of gold, has played an important role in Japanese history and culture, being used for decorations in shrines and temples and for monks’ robes.
Okamoto Textiles has inherited the technique of using gold leaf applied to special Japanese paper coated with lacquer, then cut into threads to create gold leaf threads. By weaving gold into every part of the fabric, even the areas not visible as patterns, they achieve a three-dimensional, mesmerising golden glow.

In addition to our company, the Yamanaka Lacquerware Cooperative Association in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the Ishikawa Prefecture Foil Industry Cooperative Association, Sakuta Gold and Silver Foil Manufacturing, and Hakuichi are also quoted in the article discussing the ‘rise in gold prices.’

Coincidentally, the day after I finished writing and posting a blog article about the surge in gold prices, a reporter contacted me to inform me that it had been published.

The following blog describes how our company is struggling with the rising price of gold. We would appreciate it if you would read it and share your thoughts.

Thank you very much, Nihon Keizai Shimbun and reporter Mr. Miki Kamiyama.