Message from the CEO: Motoshige Sumii
“As a Japanese National”
Since my early childhood, I have always been captivated by the process of creation and the masterful techniques woven by artisans. When I was in elementary school, I had the opportunity to build a wooden cabin from scratch as part of a school activity. It was then that I first encountered the intricate joinery techniques of Miya-daiku (traditional shrine and temple carpenters). Combined with my innate passion for making things, this experience inspired my childhood dream: to become a Miya-daiku artisan and dedicate myself to the preservation of Japan’s sacred shrines and temples.
At the age of fifteen, I moved to the United Kingdom entirely on my own. I spent seven years in London, navigating through high school and my university life. Living abroad brought various barriers and daily hardships. Yet, it was precisely through this separation from my homeland that, whenever I returned to Japan, I began to truly recognize the exceptional quality of Japanese hospitality and the innate beauty of our culture, which is deeply rooted in mindfulness and consideration for others. While this realization was partly driven by a natural affection for the place where I was born and raised, these experiences profoundly deepened my love for Japan. I developed a great fondness for the serene atmosphere of Japanese shrines and temples, making it a ritual to visit them across the country each time I returned. Leaving Japan allowed me to rediscover its true beauty expressed through its people and rich heritage.
As my university years drew to a close and I began planning my career, I found myself standing at a crossroads with three distinct paths before me. The first was to pursue my dream of becoming a Miya-daiku artisan. The second was to immediately start my own business. The third was to enter a securities firm.
As I broadened my perspective beyond temple carpentry to study the wider Japanese traditional craft industry, I confronted a harsh reality: these invaluable industries, passed down through generations, were severely shrinking. I realized that rather than becoming a single artisan myself, my true calling was to revitalize this declining traditional craft market and build a sustainable society where artisans could focus entirely on their creations. However, at that time, I was acutely aware of my lack of experience and was not yet prepared to found a company. Above all, I recognized that to successfully lead an organization, I needed to understand the mindset of newly graduated employees—who work on the front lines yet often feel the most vulnerable—and learn how a team functions cohesively. To gain this vital experience, I chose to enter the financial sector.
After learning how teams operate under pressure and experiencing firsthand the dynamics and sentiments of frontline professionals, I founded Suigenkyo Co., Ltd. in March 2022.
I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. Having been born in Japan, I am committed to finding the true purpose of my existence here. I believe that by contributing to the preservation and evolution of the culture and traditions this nation has meticulously built over centuries, I will find that meaning. I established Suigenkyo with the lifelong commitment to dedicate myself to the traditional craft industry and, ultimately, to contribute to the future of Japan.
Our mission is to allow master artisans to focus solely on creating exceptional masterpieces, while our company manages the entire process of bringing their works to the world. By doing so, we aim to unite the industry and showcase the supreme standard of Japanese craftsmanship on a global scale.
Guided by our core mission and vision—“To protect the old and create the new, in pursuit of prosperity for artisans, users, and all people” and “To become the cornerstone of Japanese culture and its evolution”—our entire team remains dedicated to refining our craft and building a company that earns the enduring trust and affection of people worldwide.
Motoshige Sumii
CEO, Suigenkyo Co., Ltd.
Biography
At the age of 15, Motonari Sumii left his hometown in Shiga Prefecture to study abroad in the United Kingdom on his own. Upon graduating from high school, he entered King’s College London, majoring in Business Management, and graduated in 2020.
He then joined Bank of America Securities (BofA Securities Co., Ltd.), where he gained extensive institutional experience within the Global Markets and Investment Banking (M&A) divisions. After departing the firm in 2021, he founded Suigenkyo Co., Ltd. in March 2022, assuming the role of CEO to bridge traditional Japanese craftsmanship with the global market.