Japan Tile Maker Brings 600-Year Craft to Global Stage

Ancient clay from a prehistoric lake bed is finding new life in luxury boutiques and design galleries around the world, thanks to a small Japanese tile company with big ambitions.

X-iS, a 35-person manufacturer in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, has transformed centuries-old ceramic techniques into a global design phenomenon. Their Tajimi Custom Tiles brand now appears in Hermès and Loewe stores, Blue Bottle Coffee locations, and prestigious galleries like Salon 94 in New York.

The secret lies beneath their feet. Millions of years ago, the region sat underwater as Lake Tokai. When geological shifts raised the land, it left behind uniquely elastic clay that local craftspeople have prized for 600 years.

President Ken Kasai partnered with Swiss designer David Glaettli in 2020 to launch Tajimi Custom Tiles, blending traditional Japanese manufacturing with contemporary international design. Just two years later, they showcased at Milan Design Week, design's biggest global stage.

The breakthrough moment worked. French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created vases from the tiles. British designer Max Lamb shaped them into curved furniture. South Korean artist Kwangho Lee wove them into knitted patterns. Each collaboration proved these weren't ordinary tiles.

Tokyo architect Stuart Taylor explains their appeal. "The subtle difference of each tile gives them much more character than the flatness of commercially mass-produced tiles," he said. Light changes the colors and shades throughout the day, adding living dimension to walls and surfaces.

The Ripple Effect

The tiles cost about 20% more than standard competitors because of the customization work involved. But architects and designers worldwide are willing to pay for tiles where you can see the maker's hand in each piece.

Australian architect John Wardle discovered them during a Japan visit and now uses them in projects including his own home. "I love being able to see the work of the maker in each tile, and that no two are the same," he said.

Currently, 80% of X-iS customers are domestic, but Kasai aims to flip that ratio. An exhibition is planned for Thailand next year, with growing interest in South Korea and Australia, where a development boom creates perfect timing.

The path hasn't been completely smooth. U.S. tariffs and shipping costs for heavy materials have complicated American expansion. But Kasai sees opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, where appreciation for craftsmanship meets geographic proximity.

Traditional crafts don't have to stay frozen in time. Sometimes they just need someone to show the world what makes them special.