To craftsman, machines are merely tools. Some machines are used to shave metal, while others cut clean through. They need the precision these tools afford to make the delicate parts that go into smartphones, watches, and everyday household goods. On a larger scale, they help create bikes, airplanes, and boats. All of these things are born from a combination of different tools and the craftsman’s skill.

Do you see the large machine in the reception area? This is called a Lathe, and it is used to shave metal. It was taken from a factory that shut down, and while the exact age of the machine is unknown, it is similar to British lathes of the 1850s, which would make it quite old.

Sankō Baba, the president of KOTOBUKI Corporation, which use to service lathes, once said, “In the old days, every single factory used lathes.” Subsequently, in the period of rapid economic growth following WWII, it was rumored that as long as you had one lathe, you would be able to build a house. The job market was so good at the time that if you made something, you would be able to turn a profit. So many people dreamed of working in the manufacturing industry that some/ would take out loans to buy a lathe and open their own factory.

The manufacturing town of Ōta-ku was born as a result of this.

The number of factories was at its peak in 1983, when there were over 9,000 factories located in the area. The factories were supported by the skills of the craftsmen and machine tools such as the lathe. Ōta-ku’s craftsmanship was dependent on its attention to detail. They wouldn’t let even 5/1000th mm difference go by unnoticed. That’s thinner than one strand of hair! They were able to achieve this level of detail thanks to the machines they used.

KOTOBUKI Corporation manufactures, services, and sells machines and tools that help support these craftsmen. The most important service they provide is a finishing technique called “Hand Scraping.” In this process, shallow and unique dents are carved into the metal. These dents hold oil which help to improve movability within the machines themselves.

Let’s look at the bed of the lathe (the silver rail-like part). You should be able to see a faint pattern on the surface of the bed. These are the remains of the “hand scraping” technique.

Modifications that can’t be done using a machine are accomplished thanks to these craftsmen’s skills. It is because of this that the manufacturing industry can continue to exist in the first place.

Let’s head towards the elevator hall that leads to the other floors. In this hall lies a collection of objects that represent the numbers 1-6. These objects were made specifically to represent the floors in this hotel. All of them were made in factories here in Kamata using the highest quality Japanese craftsmanship available.

What kind of products do these craftsman make using these parts? Let’s begin with the 6th floor signage.