【ORIGAMI with Makers Project】- ORIGAMI × Beppu Bamboo Crafts -

with Makers Project 

ORIGAMI is a brand born from the aspirations of baristas.

Under the slogan “with Barista,” we develop products for brewing delicious coffee, dedicated to all baristas who relentlessly pursue the perfect cup.

“with Makers” represents a new challenge as a Mino ware manufacturer, engaging in collaborations that transcend regional and industry boundaries. Through ORIGAMI products,　

we aim to convey Japan's culture of craftsmanship.

By understanding the background of production and the makers themselves, we hope people will cherish and love our products for a long time.

We want more people to enjoy coffee.

This project was launched from that desire.

This second installment of the project features the theme “ORIGAMI and Beppu Bamboo Crafts.”

Limited Collection

“ ORIGAMI×Beppu Bamboo Crafts ”

The History of BEPPU

Beppu bamboo crafts, thriving as an industry centered in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, are traditional crafts made primarily from locally harvested madake bamboo, with every bamboo splint woven by hand.

The weaving techniques (braiding/amigumi techniques) are diverse, and since ancient times, these crafts have established their status not only as daily necessities but also as artistic crafts.

Today, Beppu Bamboo Crafts is designated as a “Traditional Craft” by the national government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and is passed down under strict technical, material, and production conditions.

While its origins are debated, legend holds that it began when Emperor Keikō, returning from subduing bears in Kyushu, stopped at Beppu. His attendant, a kitchen steward, discovered the abundance of high-quality bamboo and made a megō (bowl basket).

As the Edo period began, Beppu's name spread nationwide as Japan's premier hot spring destination, and bamboo crafts flourished as popular souvenirs.

This historical development was further supported by the region's blessed geological conditions: a warm, humid climate and abundant rainfall nurtured plentiful, high-quality bamboo resources. The craft evolved into an industry and remains vibrant today, an integral part of the rich lifestyle in Beppu.

Please also read the interview about the products we created this time.

We introduce how Beppu bamboo crafts originated, how the production area and techniques developed, and how the tradition has been passed down to the present day.

ORIGAMI and Beppu Bamboo Crafts

Development Background

When I saw a bamboo pot holder, I thought, “Wouldn't it be nice to have a bamboo drip holder like this? It would look beautiful paired with ORIGAMI's drip holder.” That thought sparked the idea. I consulted

Man'yo Co., Ltd. in Beppu, Oita Prefecture. Initially, when we inquired about producing it using our envisioned weaving technique and design, we encountered difficulties. The number of craftsmen in Japan capable of expressing the desired weave had dwindled. Furthermore, unlike a pot holder, recreating the holes for the drip holder using bamboo weaving techniques might prove challenging. After persistently searching for manufacturers and artisans connected to Manyo, we finally achieved our ideal drip holder design through Nanpu Kogei. To complement it, Koyo Ceramics developed a limited-edition color drip cup and sensory flavor cup, envisioning the aging process of bamboo craftwork to match the bamboo drip holder. After repeated prototyping, the entire process from initial concept to development took approximately two years.

Concept and Product Highlights

New bamboo crafts appear in shades of green bamboo or pale beige, but over time, exposure to light and air transforms them into amber or deep brown hues. With use, they develop a richer luster and deeper texture, becoming uniquely familiar tools. This limited-edition color captures that beautiful aging process in ceramic form. Using kiln-change glazes, each piece has a slightly different expression, with gradient hues reflecting how bamboo crafts gradually transform into amber over time. Furthermore, we paid meticulous attention to the color tones to ensure a cohesive look when the dripper, dripper holder, and sensory flavor cup are combined as a set. Inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, these modern hues naturally harmonize with contemporary living.

Pairing it with a glass server in summer creates an even cooler impression, making it a recommended choice.

The [rinko] sensory flavor cup features an elegant matte texture not found in existing sensory flavor cups.

With its warm, organic appearance, this cup showcases the nuanced character of pottery—never perfectly uniform. Even when using the same glaze and decoration method as the dripper, its distinct shape offers a different aesthetic experience.

The Sensory Flavor Cup's distinctive design maximizes coffee aroma: its bulbous body expands the liquid surface area, while the tapered rim traps aromas inside. Its shape also covers the nose when drinking, intensifying aroma perception. The absence of a handle allows you to feel the coffee's temperature, and the pink color visually evokes the fruitiness and sweetness of coffee flavors.

Experience the unique “function × limited color” of this special cup, designed to engage all your senses—taste, smell, warmth, and sight—for a truly immersive coffee experience.