[プロフィール]
唯一の京和傘製造元「日吉屋」五代目。 和歌山県新宮市出身。 カナダ留学後市役所で通訳をするも、結婚後妻の実家「日吉屋」で京和傘の魅力に目覚め、脱・公務員。職人の道へ。 2004年五代目就任。現在36歳。 「伝統は革新の連続である」を企業理念に掲げ、伝統的和傘の継承のみならず、和傘の技術、構造を活かした新商品を積極的に開拓中。 グローバル・老舗ベンチャー企業を目指す。

国内外のデザイナー、アーティスト、建築家達とのコラボレーション商品の開発にも取り組んでおり、2008年より海外展示会に積極的に参加、Maison&Objet（Paris）、Ambiente、Tendence、Light+Building（Frunkfurt）、ICFF（N.Y.）等に出展。 和風照明「古都里-KOTORI-」シリーズを中心に2008より海外輸出を始める。

素材にスチール＋ABSを採用した可変照明「MOTO」にて国際的評価の高いiF Product Design Awardを2011年に受賞。 ブライダルデザイナーとのコラボ「Wagasaドレス」でのパリコレ出品や、茶道家、建築家とのコラボ「傘庵」等、ジャンルを限定する事なく活動の幅を広げる。

各種デザイン賞
　・Japan Shop Award （2006、2008）
　・グッドデザイン賞　中小企業庁長官賞（2007）
　・新日本様式１００選（2007）
　・FORM＃ドイツ　デザイン賞（2008）
　・グッドデザイン賞（2010）
　・iF Product design award（ドイツ デザイン賞）（2011）

官公庁認定海外進出支援事業
　・KYOTO PREMIUM（中小企業庁 2008　 Maison & Objetパリ）
　・Sozo_comm　（経済産業省　2008、2009 AMbiente　フランクフルト、Maison&Objetパリ）
　・感性kansei‐Japan Design Exhibition（JETRO2008、2009 ICFFニューヨーク）
　・CONECTO TO JAPAN DESIGN　（経済産業省2010　 AMbiente　フランクフルト）
　・Japan Pavilion　（経済産業省2010 100% Design Shanghai上海）
　・J style +　（経済産業省2011、Maison & Objetパリ）

官公庁認定商品開発・販路開拓事業
　・地域資源事業認定　（経済産業省 2008〜2011）
　・JAPAN　BRAND支援事業認定　（中小企業庁 2010）
　・中小企業販路開拓等支援事業（京都府 2010）

[Profile]
Fifth-generation head of "Hiyoshiya," the only maker of traditional Kyoto-style umbrellas. Born in Shingu City, Wakayama prefecture. After studying abroad in Canada he worked at the city office as an interpreter, but after marrying he became enchanted by the Kyoto-style umbrellas of his wife's family business "Hiyoshiya," and left his position as a public official. He became head of the business in 2004 and is currently 36 years old. Setting up "Tradition is continual innovation" as his business concept, and not only does his work to preserve traditional Japanese umbrellas, he actively pioneers new products using Japanese umbrella techniques and construction. He aims for a global venture of old shops.

He works on collaborations with designers, artists and architects both within Japan and abroad and from 2008 he started actively participating in overseas exhibitions such as Maison & Objet (Paris), Ambiente, Tendence, Light+Building (Frankfurt) and ICFF (N.Y.). From 2008 he began exports centering on his Japanese lighting series "Kotori."

In 2011 he was awarded the internationally-recognized iF Product Design Award for his "MOTO" adjustable lighting using steel and ABS. His work crosses many genres, such as his "Wagasa Dress" collaboration with a bridal designer which was shown at the Paris fashion week, and his "Kasaan" collaboration with tea ceremony masters and architects.

Design awards
- Japan Shop Award (2006, 2008)
- Good Design Award Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Award (2007)
- Japanesque Modern 100 (2007)
- FORM#Germany Design Award (2008)
- Good Design Award (2010)
- iF Product Design Award (German design award) (2011)

Officially-certified overseas ventures
- Kyoto Premium (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency 2008, Maison & Objet Paris)
- Sozo_comm (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 2008, 2009 Ambiente Frankfurt)
- Kansei - Japan Design Exhibition (JETRO 2008, 2009 ICFF New York)
- Conecto to Japan Design (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 2010 Ambiente Frankfurt)
- Japan Pavilion (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 2010 100% Design Shanghai)
- J style + (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 2011 Maison & Objet Paris)

Officially-certified product development and sales pioneering ventures
- Regional Resource Venture Certification (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 2008 - 2011)
- Japan Brand Support Venture Certification (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency 2010)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Sales Pioneering Support Venture (Kyoto 2010)