Tsugutsugu
Tsugutsugu (株式会社つぐつぐ) is a Tokyo-based, privately-held Japanese company founded in 2020 that operates a traditional kintsugi craft business, offering professional ceramic repair, in-person classes and workshops, DIY kintsugi kits, and SDG-aligned tool sales, rentals, and recycling services to individual consumers across Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tsugutsugu does
Tsugutsugu (株式会社つぐつぐ / Tsugu Tsugu Inc.) is a privately held Tokyo-based company, founded in 2020 and previously known as kNotPerfect株式会社, that builds a business around the traditional Japanese craft of kintsugi (gold repair). Its offering is a multi-format platform of services and products: professional kintsugi repair services connecting customers with craftsmen, in-person classes and workshops at its Ebisu (Shibuya) studio and at traveling pop-up events across Japan, a DIY kintsugi kit ('つぐキット') sold direct-to-consumer via its shop-kintsugi.com e-commerce storefront, and SDG-aligned adjacent lines including kintsugi tool sales, tool rentals, and a ceramic recycling program for eco-conscious corporate partners. From August 2020 to July 31, 2023 the company operated a pioneering kintsugi matching platform — described as the industry's first — which intermediated transactions between craftsmen and customers; that platform was closed in 2023, after which the company rebranded and pivoted to direct services. The annual kintsugi art exhibition series (2024, 2025, 2026 editions) and the first Kyoto event in November 2025 indicate a maturing event-led go-to-market motion.
The business model combines three revenue streams: (i) quote-based professional repair services, (ii) class/workshop fees for in-person training, and (iii) D2C e-commerce sales of DIY kits and tools, with a historical fourth stream — commission fees from the now-discontinued matching platform — that is no longer active. Customer acquisition is content- and event-driven rather than enterprise sales-driven: the company maintains an active blog (kintsugi-girl.com), social channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook), recurring press exposure (J-WAVE, NTV news zero, drama features), and a rolling calendar of exhibitions and pop-ups. The customer base is almost entirely individual consumers interested in kintsugi either as a repair service or as a learnable craft/hobby; no enterprise or institutional customer logos are disclosed. Headcount began as a solo founder and has scaled modestly with community and craftsman support; no external investors, venture funding, or parent company has been disclosed.
Tsugutsugu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tsugutsugu
- Legal name
- 株式会社つぐつぐ
- Website
- https://tsugu2.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Tsugutsugu (株式会社つぐつぐ) is a Tokyo-based, privately-held Japanese company founded in 2020 that operates a traditional kintsugi craft business, offering professional ceramic repair, in-person classes and workshops, DIY kintsugi kits, and SDG-aligned tool sales, rentals, and recycling services to individual consumers across Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tsugutsugu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Traditional Craft Services
- NAICS
- Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance (811490)
- SIC
- Pottery & Related Products (3260)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Traditional & Indigenous Crafts Lessons (Heritage Skills, Folk Arts) (THAJAKAH)
Keywords
Where Tsugutsugu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tsugutsugu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Kintsugi Repair Services: Professional kintsugi repair services where skilled craftsmen restore broken ceramics. Previously facilitated through the matching platform, now offered directly through the company's own repair service.
- Kintsugi Classes and Workshops: In-person classes and workshops teaching kintsugi techniques to beginners and enthusiasts. Classes are held at the Tokyo studio and at pop-up events across Japan.
- Kintsugi Kit Sales: Sale of self-repair kintsugi kits (つぐキット) through the company's own e-commerce storefront (shop-kintsugi.com).
- Matching Platform Commission (Historical): Previously, the matching platform charged a commission fee for connecting craftsmen with customers. The platform was closed on July 31, 2023.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Kintsugi repair (professional service) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Tsugutsugu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tsugutsugu provides traditional Japanese kintsugi (gold joinery) craft services, including professional ceramic repair by skilled craftsmen, hands-on classes and workshops teaching kintsugi techniques, and DIY kintsugi kits (Tsugu Kit) for self-repair. The company also sells kintsugi tools, offers tool rentals, and runs a ceramic recycling program aligned with sustainability goals.
Product overview
Tsugutsugu operates as a traditional Japanese kintsugi craft company offering multiple interconnected services. The core offerings include professional kintsugi repair services, hands-on kintsugi school/workshop classes, and DIY kintsugi kits (Tsugu Kit) for self-repair. The company previously operated a pioneering matching platform (2020-2023) that connected craftsmen with customers, now evolved to focus on direct services. SDG-aligned initiatives include kintsugi tool sales, equipment rentals, and ceramic recycling programs, all aimed at making the traditional art of gold repair more accessible and sustainable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 金継ぎkitsugi kit: Kits for self-repair of broken ceramics using kintsugi technique
Products and services
- Kintsugi Repair Service (金継ぎ修理)
Companies that use Tsugutsugu
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Tsugutsugu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Tsugutsugu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tsugutsugu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Muji: Japanese lifestyle retailer offering minimal home goods, craft-adjacent classes, and a brand aligned with simple/sustainable living. Comparable as a broader brand that touches on craft education and sustainable home goods, though at much larger scale.
- Creema: Japan's largest handmade craft marketplace, connecting artisans with buyers across categories including ceramics. Comparable as a two-sided craft marketplace, and is an indirect substitute for Tsugutsugu's now-closed kintsugi matching platform.
- Minne (by GMO Pepabo): Large Japanese handmade craft marketplace with strong ceramics and kintsugi-adjacent artisan listings. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the Japanese handmade/traditional craft marketplace space.
Emerging players
- Musubi Kiln: Japan-based e-commerce retailer of Japanese pottery, tableware, and crafts with content around traditional ceramics. Comparable as a Japanese craft/D2C player, though focused on pottery sales rather than repair or classes.
Direct peers
- Sakurai Kintsugi Studio: Japan-based kintsugi craftsman offering professional repair services and workshops. Directly comparable business model combining professional repairs with hands-on instruction for beginners.
- Kintsugi Tokyo: Tokyo-based kintsugi workshop and class provider offering both group classes and repair services. Closest direct competitor to Tsugutsugu in teaching kintsugi to individuals and tourists in the same Tokyo market.
Others
- Workshop platforms in Japan (e.g., Stripe Sense, Tevent): Event/workshop ticketing platforms used by kintsugi teachers and traditional craftspeople in Japan. Comparable as ecosystem infrastructure that Tsugutsugu could leverage or compete against for distributing class tickets.
Regional players
- Kogei Japan: Online retailer promoting Japanese traditional crafts (kogei) including ceramics, with storytelling content aimed at international buyers. Comparable as a Japanese traditional craft D2C and content brand with international reach potential similar to Tsugutsugu's English-language site.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Tsugutsugu social profiles
Digital presenceTsugutsugu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tsugutsugu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tsugutsugu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tsugutsugu M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tsugutsugu
What does Tsugutsugu do?
Tsugutsugu provides traditional Japanese kintsugi (gold joinery) craft services, including professional ceramic repair by skilled craftsmen, hands-on classes and workshops teaching kintsugi techniques, and DIY kintsugi kits (Tsugu Kit) for self-repair. The company also sells kintsugi tools, offers tool rentals, and runs a ceramic recycling program aligned with sustainability goals.
Is Tsugutsugu a public or private company?
Tsugutsugu is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tsugutsugu founded?
Tsugutsugu was founded in 2020.
Where is Tsugutsugu based?
Tsugutsugu is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Tsugutsugu make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Kintsugi Repair Services are the primary driver. The others are kintsugi Classes and Workshops, kintsugi Kit Sales and matching Platform Commission (Historical).
Who are Tsugutsugu's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Muji, Creema and Minne (by GMO Pepabo). Musubi Kiln is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Sakurai Kintsugi Studio and Kintsugi Tokyo. Workshop platforms in Japan (e.g., Stripe Sense, Tevent) is listed as an others. Kogei Japan is listed as a regional player.
Does Tsugutsugu have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tsugutsugu.
What industry is Tsugutsugu in?
Tsugutsugu's product category is Traditional Craft Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAKAH, Traditional & Indigenous Crafts Lessons (Heritage Skills, Folk Arts). Its NAICS code is 811490 and its SIC code is 3260.