中川木工芸は初代亀一が京都の老舗「たる源」で丁稚から修行をし40年ほど勤めて京都白川通りで独立したのが始まりです。「たる源」は雑器と呼ばれていた木桶を床の間にも飾れるようなものに創り上げた京都随一の桶、樽の老舗です。
中川木工芸もその流れをくみ繊細で優美な木桶を製作しています。現在は二代目中川清司（2001年重要無形文化財保持者の認定を受ける）が白川の工房を引き継いでいます。
比良工房は、清司の重要無形文化財認定後、滋賀県滋賀郡志賀町に2003年工房を開いたのが始まり。
Nakawaga Wood Craft was established when the first owner, Kameichi , had set up his own business after he completed his ascetic training, which he started as apprentice, at “Taru Gen” in Kyoto for 40 years. “Taru Gen” is one of the greatest long-established shops for coopers and barrels in Kyoto. “Taru Gen” transformed wooden coopers, which were called miscellaneous fixtures, into decorative pieces for alcove in Japanese living room.
Nakagawa Wood Craft follows the tradition and creates delicate and elegant wooden coopers. Kiyotsugu Nakagawa, the second generation, who certified as important intangible cultural heritage keeper in 2001, took over the craft center in Shirakawa.
Hira craft center is located in Shiga, Shiga-prefecture, and was started in 2003 after Kiyotsugu was certified as important intangible cultural heritage.
