KIKUSUMI STORY
The Kikusumi brand began as an exploration between cooking, nature and culture. Throughout history humans have forged tools to help cook the food they needed to survive. Over time tool making techniques were improved and refined. In 2014 founder Del Cook began to sketch out a series of kitchen products and tools that would combine the best of artisan craftsmanship combining tradition with newly emerging technologies. A new brand called Kikusumi was launched that would carry out this vision to both respect the past and embrace the future of cooking with a series of exclusive knives and kitchen tools designed for those who cook with passion. The knives include series for the home cook as well as higher end ranges for the demanding professional. Each product goes through a detailed design process that begins with a sketch before emerging from our artisan workshops. Kikusumi brand was launched in 2016 and continues to develop and grow its family of kitchen products to inspire cooks of all levels and cultural backgrounds across the world.
KULUR LAB TOKYO
Informed by over 25 years of cooking and design experience, Kikusumi offers a new level of craftsmanship and artisanal luxury. In 2025, we created the KULUR Lab in Tokyo where we design, craft and hand paint original Kikusumi products. Collections include unique Japanese woods, colors and patterns. Our techniques are steeped in history but our approach is contemporary, emphasizing shapes, material and elegance. Contemporary, elegant and durable – Kikusumi products make a beautiful addition the home or professional kitchen to inspire your creativity and enhance everyday life
TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES
Our first collection of hand crafted and hand painted urushi chopsticks was launched in Spring 2025 in Tokyo. Urushi reacts with then enhances wood, creating a rich aesthetic of warmer hues to deep wood grain. Urushi is not only a paint but also a glue which, once cured, waterproofs the material underneath, giving it a longer life. We chose to paint with urushi for this reason, making chopsticks, knives, tableware and interior items that are aesthetically and functionally enriches everyday life.
SUSTAINABLE CHOICES
KIKUSUMI’s ongoing sustainable craft project to connect modern lifestyles with exceptionally crafted kitchen tools. At Kikusumi we are committed to a future where we utilize resources that can be replaced for future generations. For example, when sourced responsibly, wood can play an important role in helping tackle climate change as healthy forests help offset carbon emissions. Kikusumi offers over 10 woos across our collections – diverse choices of materials contributes to sustainable usage of our finite resources. Today responsible forest stewardship is an important element of sustainable growth and Kikusumi fulfills this goal of using resources responsibly.