We have signed a business partnership agreement with Sansui-sha, a company that utilizes old houses and old trees, to promote the use of old wood spaces.

Tanseisha has signed a business partnership agreement with Sansuisha Co., Ltd. (Head office: Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture; President and Chief Executive Ofcer: Hiroaki Yamagami; hereinafter referred to as "Sansuisha"), a company that is committed to creating a sustainable society by making use of old houses and old trees (koboku)* the pillar of its business.

This agreement will enable the proactive introduction of old wood into design and construction, which require advanced techniques, in order to incorporate high-quality old wood into a variety of spaces. In addition, the two companies will conduct verification tests to make wider use of old wood, and will meet the expectations of businesses seeking to create spaces that make the most of the charm of old wood, regardless of their size. Furthermore, Sansuisha will expand sales channels for old wood and strengthen its business in specialized old wood construction and old house relocation, while Tanseisha will propose and introduce the use of old wood in a variety of fields such as hotels, specialty stores, large complexes, cultural facilities, and stations, promoting the creation of environmentally friendly spaces, and both companies will contribute to sustainability through their businesses.

* Antique wood (koboku): Sansuisha defines antique wood as wood from pillars, beams, girders, and boards generated from the demolition of traditional houses built before the war that are over 80 years old. In-house antique wood specialists check that the wood is free of insect damage and water leaks, is in good condition, and has a clear traceability of the origins of the wood, such as the era and location of the house's construction.
"KOBOKU" is a registered trademark of Sansuisha.

Mr. Hiroaki Yamagami, President and Chief Executive Ofcer Yamasuisha (left), Mr. Osamu Kobayashi, Senior Managing Director of Tanseisha Director (right)

News Release
Sansuisha, a company that utilizes old houses and old trees, and Tanseisha, a company that creates spaces, have entered into a business partnership to promote the use of old trees in spaces.
- Promoting contributions to SDGs and regional revitalization by creating a wide range of spaces that utilize the appeal of old materials -

Background of the business alliance

Due to the declining population, the number of old houses that are no longer in use is increasing all over Japan. Reusing the old materials extracted from these houses not only promotes the formation of a recycling-oriented society, but also contributes to the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), such as sustainable production and consumption, measures against climate change, economic growth and employment.
Sansuisha has created a system in which the environment, society, and economy all circulate by adding value to old wood that would have been discarded in the past, by adding traceability and story-telling based on the carpenter's handiwork and defining it as "old wood." Tanseisha is promoting sustainable efforts throughout the company as "Sustainability Actions," such as operating "4earth," an e-commerce site specializing in discontinued building and decorative materials.
Sansuisha, a specialist in antique wood, and Tanseisha, a professional in spatial creation, have a track record of actually creating spaces, and so they have decided to form this partnership in order to spread this initiative more widely. By incorporating antique wood into a wider range of spaces, it will be possible to create environmentally friendly spaces, and it will also meet the needs of businesses that are increasingly conscious of sustainability and the SDGs.

Projects worked on by the two companies (2021)

"Jiichiro Ecute Tokyo Store" (Owner: Yataro Co., Ltd.)
By using antique wood from old houses and timeless metal materials, we were able to express "things that change with time" and "things that remain unchanged," in keeping with the Jiichiro brand's passion for taste and craftsmanship that remains unchanged in changing times.
Our Projects > "Jiichiro Project - Implementing different design approaches for each store location, embodying the brand's attitude of always taking on new challenges"

Future developments

By promoting the use of old wood in spaces, the two companies will not only contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by reducing waste, cutting CO2 emissions, and reducing disposal costs, but will also help promote the distribution of old wood.
Additionally, by connecting businesses with vacant old houses, the number of which continues to increase all over Japan, we will support the creation of new businesses and contribute to revitalizing local communities by making use of the old houses themselves.

Comments from both companies

Mr. Hiroaki Yamakami / President and Chief Executive Ofcer of Sansuisha Co., Ltd.
By collaborating with Tanseisha, we expect to improve our scalability and be able to respond flexibly and broadly to the many inquiries we receive regarding old trees. In addition, by working with Tanseisha to create spaces that make use of old trees, we can each demonstrate our expertise, and we can specialize in work related to old trees and pursue even greater expertise. Furthermore, we hope to realize our dream of "spreading Japan's traditional architectural culture to the world."

Osamu Kobayashi, Director TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.
The wood handled by Sansuisha has a wide range of impacts on spatial creation, including its high quality with durability not found in new wood, its friendliness to people and the environment as it not only reuses resources but also contributes to solving the problem of vacant houses, and the story of how the owner's thoughts are passed down to the next generation. Through the collaboration between the two companies, we aim to create richer spaces in various fields by utilizing the appeal of old wood to improve the value of spaces and solve social issues.

About Sansuisha

It started as a woodworking shop founded by joiner Matsujiro Yamagami in 1930. Currently, as "Yamasuisha Old Houses," the company is involved in the restoration, relocation, and demolition of old houses, the design and construction of commercial facility interiors that utilize old wood, and the production and sale of old wood products. In recent years, with the aim of increasing the value of old houses and old wood, the company has expanded its old wood brand overseas and also operates a co-working space that utilizes an old house.