SHURO BROOM：a traditional Japanese crafts

Cleaning your home—quietly, beautifully, and with a sense of pride.

What we make is not just a broom. It’s a piece crafted from shuro—palm fiber, a traditional material of Japan. More than a simple cleaning tool, it is a symbol of sustainable living, thoughtfully handmade by skilled artisans.

This project, launched by Fukami Sangyo, a company in Kainan, Wakayama with over 70 years of experience working with shuro products, is our way of bringing traditional Japanese craftsmanship into the modern world—and beyond.

The soft, whisper-like sound of sweeping the floor. The natural fibers that gently but thoroughly gather up fine dust and pet hair. Even in places a vacuum can’t reach—or during a child’s nap or the stillness of night—this broom lets you clean with quiet ease. That’s the unique charm of our broom.

For this Kickstarter, we’ve designed a special version with a longer handle, tailored to fit global lifestyles. It’s not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing—a piece that looks just as beautiful hanging in your home as it feels in your hand. The braided detailing, both durable and elegant, has become a signature of our work.

We want to bring back the quiet presence of a broom in every household—something once common in homes across Japan. This humble tool, reborn as a sustainable choice, is ready to find its place in homes around the world.

That is the heart of BroomCraft

We use carefully processed fibers made from the bark of shuro (windmill palm), grown in the warm climates of Japan. This traditional material is both supple and durable, with fine tips that excel at trapping dust, sand, and even pet hair.

Its performance shines in a wide variety of settings—from tiled entryways and carpeted floors to homes where shoes are worn indoors, as is common overseas.

The fibers also have just the right amount of springiness, allowing them to naturally gather dirt without needing much force. It makes everyday cleaning feel surprisingly light and effortless.

One of the key benefits of this shuro broom is its complete silence. Unlike vacuum cleaners, it makes no mechanical noise, making it ideal for apartment living or households with small children.

You can sweep while your baby naps, or during late nights and early mornings—without worrying about disturbing others.

And since it doesn’t use electricity, it’s energy-saving and environmentally friendly. It also generates little to no static, so dust doesn’t scatter into the air.

Whenever something catches your eye, you can simply pick it up and sweep—quietly, gently, effortlessly.
This is a cleaning tool that fits seamlessly into modern life, offering peace of mind and quiet beauty with every use.

Each broom is crafted with care, using hand-tightened fiber structures that resist shedding and wear. The result is a tool designed to withstand long-term use.

Depending on how you use and store it, this broom can serve you for many years. And even if the bristles spread out over time, a light misting with water and reshaping by hand will help them return to form once dried.

In an era where disposable tools have become the norm, this broom stands out as something different—a tool you care for and grow with over time.

This shuro broom is more than just a cleaning tool—even when not in use. Its natural materials, slender silhouette, and minimal design make it blend effortlessly into any room.

Rather than hiding it away, you might find yourself wanting to display it. Hanging on a wall or resting in a corner, it becomes part of your interior—a functional piece with artistic presence.

It’s the kind of item that gently brings order to your mind each time you see it.A timeless tool that embodies the Japanese philosophy of yo no bi—the beauty of function—and one you'll want to keep close in your daily life.

Shuro has long been believed to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune. Traditionally used at shrines, temples, and in home entrances, this natural material carries deep cultural significance.

Its floral meaning in Japan is “victory”—making this broom more than a cleaning tool. It’s also a talisman that brings harmony to both your space and your state of mind.

Using this broom by the entrance each morning becomes a gentle ritual—one that gives you a quiet boost before stepping out into the world.It’s a small but meaningful moment of calm. A way to clear not just the floor, but the air around you.

In addition to the brooms, this project also offers practical small items made from palm fibers. These include a hand broom with a leather handle—perfect for cleaning narrow spaces or tabletops where larger brooms are less convenient—and a kitchen brush that will be a great help around the kitchen. Both are easy-to-use products that we believe you'll enjoy.

You can see how to use the kitchen brush in this video.

Wakayama Prefecture’s Kainan City—blessed with a warm climate and rich natural surroundings—was once widely known as the town of shuro. The bark of this palm tree, a member of the Arecaceae family, was traditionally processed into ropes, scrub brushes, and brooms that supported everyday life in postwar Japan.

Kainan City, Japan

You would often see people along the roadside winding shuro rope, or brooms and scrubbers hanging from the eaves of homes. These scenes, once so common, were simply a part of daily life.

But as times changed, the rise of inexpensive imports and the widespread use of electric appliances began to edge out traditional tools. The aging of skilled artisans, a lack of successors, and declining demand—these factors all contributed to the rapid fading of shuro culture.

Fukami Sangyo was founded here around 1950. The founder—my grandfather, Koji Fukami—began by making shuro rope. As demand grew, so did the business, eventually expanding into a full-scale factory and establishing itself as a local manufacturer rooted in the community.

In time, the production of shuro rope shifted to overseas factories in countries like Sri Lanka and China. The supply chain became more globalized. But as manufacturing moved farther from Japan, a new feeling began to take root in me:
“I want to bring back the techniques and culture that were born in this land.”

Koji Fukami, COO of Fukami Sangyo

In my early thirties, I began to feel a growing desire for Fukami Sangyo to return to its roots—to reclaim the spirit of making with our own hands. At that time, most of our shuro rope production had shifted overseas, with only a small part still being made in Japan.

But during those overseas business trips, I kept hearing the same thing:“Japanese quality is trustworthy.”
“I choose it because it doesn’t break.”

Those words stuck with me. And gradually, I became convinced: there’s still real value in making things here in Japan.

So I set out on a journey to find and learn from traditional Japanese artisans—lacquerware makers in Wakayama, brush makers, and finally, broom makers.One day, I met an elderly craftsman in Kyoto who specialized in shuro brooms.

He spoke quietly, almost wistfully:
“This ends with me.”
“There’s no one to take it over.”
“There’s no money in it anymore.”

His words echoed what I had heard from others across Japan. The skills were extraordinary—but they weren’t being passed down. Without anyone noticing, this knowledge was fading away.

A few years later, I received word that he had passed away.

Shortly after, I got a phone call from a broom shop.
“Would you be willing to bring brooms back?” they asked.

That single request marked the beginning of our journey into shuro broom-making.
It was the first step in Fukami Sangyo’s return to craftsmanship—and the start of what would become BroomCraft.

Our goal wasn’t just to revive old techniques for the sake of nostalgia. We set out to create a shuro broom that fits the way we live today—something practical, beautiful, and genuinely desirable to own.

We experimented endlessly with every detail: the length and angle of the handle, the texture of the fibers, the finish of each component. After countless trials, the design we envisioned finally took shape.

Its sizing was also carefully considered to suit international users, and its overall design reflects modern sensibilities.
The words I had once heard on my journey—“This ends with me” and “There’s no one left to take it over”—never left me. They fueled my determination to breathe new life into this craft.

That’s why I founded BroomCraft:
To take the traditional shuro broom and reimagine it for today.
To bring it back into people’s hands—and homes.

But this was never something I could have accomplished alone.It was only through the support of others—those who resonated with the vision, offered their hands, and stood beside us—that our team slowly took shape.

Today, our workshop is home to artisans from all walks of life.
Some used to work in local manufacturing, some are mothers who come in between raising their children, and others joined us driven by a deep admiration for craftsmanship.
Each of them fell in love with the shuro broom and now gives it shape with their own hands.

One craftsman says, “If the broom’s bristles fall limp, it doesn’t look good. Even the angle of the bamboo neck—just a tiny shift makes a big difference in appearance.” He pours his soul into each piece.

Originally drawn to the world of making things, she now explores her identity as a craftsperson. “Each broom ends up with its own personality—and that’s what makes them beautiful.”

Once a shopkeeper who sold shuro brooms, she was captivated by their charm and decided to join us—this time on the production side. Today, she plays a key role as both artisan and sales bridge, connecting our craft with the people who use it.

Each of us comes from a different path—and that’s what gives every broom a unique warmth.
With varied ages, experiences, and perspectives, every conversation sparks new insights.
That exchange of ideas becomes the foundation for innovation.

The brooms of BroomCraft are born from tradition, yes—but also from the living, breathing dialogue of our team.
And within each one lies the quiet potential of a broom the world has never seen before.

One of the most iconic elements of BroomCraft is its braided design—a feature born from countless conversations and shared ideas.

Traditionally, shuro brooms were bound with copper wire. But copper wire can be fragile and requires a high level of skill to use properly.
We asked ourselves: “Is there a simpler, stronger, and more beautiful way to bind the broom?”
And from that question, the idea of using a braid emerged.

At first, we weren’t sure if braiding would suit the clean, refined look we envisioned for a shuro broom. But when we created the first sample, the result was striking.
The broom had not only the functionality we needed, but also a beautifully distinctive form.
That braid—now a signature of the BroomCraft brand—represents both strength and design integrity.

It’s a solution we could only reach by bringing together people with different backgrounds and fresh perspectives—free from preconceived limitations.

There’s a quiet power in things made with care.
And there are people who believe in that power enough to keep moving forward.

BroomCraft is a brand infused with the passion and commitment of those very people.

We believe the shuro brooms we make aren’t just tools for today—they’re brooms for the future.
They reflect a lifestyle and a set of values that more and more people are beginning to seek.

Made entirely from natural materials, they’re built to last—and when their life ends, they return to the earth.
In an age shifting away from consumption and disposability, they offer a truly sustainable alternative—something you care for, and that grows with you.

They’re quiet, require no electricity, and produce little to no static.
They’re gentle on the environment and the body—so gentle you can use them next to a sleeping child.
They reach into corners that vacuums can’t, and they’re light enough to grab and sweep in a moment’s notice.

That ease—that quiet grace—is something we believe fits perfectly into the busy rhythm of modern life.

This project began with one simple wish:
To find people who would join us in nurturing the culture of the shuro broom.

To live in harmony with nature.
To value the work of our hands and the time we give to each day.

If that resonates with you, we would be honored to shape this new standard of living—together.

This is an ideal entry model for those purchasing a shuro broom for the first time.
For Kickstarter, we've created an exclusive long-handled version that's easier to use in overseas homes.

Every detail of this broom has been refined by our craftsmen.
Perfect for sweeping tatami mats, wood floors, pet hair, entryways, balconies, hard-to-reach corners, staircases, and even ceiling dust.
Because it doesn’t require electricity, it’s also perfect for late-night cleaning.The shuro bark fibers are fine, resilient, and flexible—so they catch dust and debris without stirring it into the air.

For years, Fukami Sangyo has been offering high-quality, handmade shuro brooms for the Japanese market. However, to meet the needs of users in Europe and North America, we have developed a new version with an extended handle specifically for this project.

This new model is designed to accommodate the average height and cleaning habits of Western users, making sweeping more comfortable and efficient. Unlike our conventional products made for Japan, this broom is tailored for a new market.

Through this Kickstarter campaign, we are taking the first step in bringing traditional Japanese craftsmanship to the world.

We sincerely appreciate your support.

Have you ever had the experience—after making curry or cooking a dish with oil—where your sponge gets greasy while washing pans and dishes, and then the next glass or plate you wash ends up coated in oil as well?
With this one brush, you can remove oil and grease first, and then wash with your regular sponge—keeping your sponge cleaner for longer! You can also use it for cleaning around the sink.

The craftsmen at Broom Craft have designed a unique cut for easy cleaning:

Use the angled tip for removing oil and grease.

Use the flat-cut edge for tackling stubborn stains.
Please note: scrubbing too hard may cause scratches.

The handle is finished with leather, making it a durable piece that can be used for many years.

It’s perfect for sweeping away bread crumbs, eraser shavings after your child’s study time, or dust and dirt in window sashes and stairway corners where vacuum cleaners can’t reach.

We have filed a design application for this product—it’s our original creation, found nowhere else.

Each piece is handmade, so there may be slight differences in size.

Fukami Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1950, Fukami Sangyo is based in Kainan City, Wakayama—a region once known as the "Home of Shuro."
We began with the production of shuro rope and, over the decades, honed our techniques to expand into brooms, scrubbers, and small household goods made from natural fibers.

For many years, our work centered on developing raw materials—especially shuro rope. But today, we’ve taken that experience and launched a new chapter: making traditional shuro brooms by hand, right here in Japan.

Bringing the spirit of craftsmanship back to our hometown—and passing it on to the next generation—is at the heart of our mission.

All of our materials are 100% natural.
We create tools that are not only long-lasting and environmentally friendly, but also beautiful—designed to bring a quiet sense of calm with every use.That’s the kind of craftsmanship we believe in.