The company motto reads, “to improve people’s lives by the means of monozukuri”. The word monozukuri is a term indicating manufacturing in its strictest sense: “to make by hand”. Everyone involved in the making of Teyney products holds the word in high consideration. The product designer, the director of operations and each single metalworker operating the machines knows exactly how this simple word is key to the crafting of products that are loyal to the monozukuri philosophy.

Despite the high-precision machinery found at Kyouwa's factory, no Teyney product is shipped without a final human touch: by the concept implied in the brand name (“teinei” in Japanese means “done with care”, echoing the principle of monozukuri), each single piece is manually buffed by experienced metalworkers and closely inspected to spot any imperfections.

When asked about how the Teyney brand came to life, Kyouwa explains that “(we) felt that there was a need for something to tie people together”. The simple idea, behind both the name and the products, moves the Teyney team to manufacture with extreme care, dedicating their products to those who care about the spaces they live in day to day. This naturally inspires products aimed at enhancing the home and indoor experience for you, your loved ones, and whoever you enjoy spending time with, at your home or workspace. As Kyouwa states, Teyney is created “to honor these connections”.

An impressive example of the result obtained this way is represented by Teyney’s award-winning Sazanami, a beautiful wooden Reversi board with shiny metal tiles. In this product, the tiles are finished with such precision, each one looks and feels like a tiny curved mirror.

Another item that conquered our immediate love is the bottle opener “Shippō”, which features the pattern from which its name derives. In this carefully designed daily object, a bar of solid brass is carved to create the design that has inspired Japanese artists, artisans and priests alike for centuries.