Founded in 1661 (Kanbun 1), Zouhiko is a long-established Kyoto lacquerware house representing the tradition of Kyo-shikki. It began as "Zougeya," a dealer in lacquerware tools and implements, and came to be affectionately known by the name "Zouhiko" after the maki-e (gold lacquer painting) plaques crafted by the third-generation head, Nishimura Hikobei, earned widespread acclaim. Across the generations, the company has carried on the traditional techniques of Kyo-shikki while producing a broad range of lacquerware, from tea ceremony utensils and furnishings to everyday items. Today, while continuing to preserve this tradition, Zouhiko also strives to create new forms of lacquer artistry, sharing the appeal of Kyo-shikki both in Japan and abroad.

Zouhiko's lacquerware is guided by the philosophy of "utility and beauty," pursuing beauty in objects meant for use in everyday life. Each piece is produced through a division of labor among craftsmen who each specialize in a particular stage of the process—wood-base makers (kijishi), lacquer coaters (nurishi), and maki-e artists—bringing together techniques passed down through generations to create every vessel. Characterized by a deep, lustrous sheen built up through many layers of applied lacquer, and by the delicate, elegant designs achieved through maki-e, Zouhiko continues to develop Kyo-shikki that honors traditional techniques while harmonizing with contemporary life.

The Kyo-shikki tradition that Zouhiko carries forward is a craft nurtured within Kyoto's court culture and the culture of the tea ceremony. Compared with lacquerware from other regions, its wood base is finished thinner, giving it a delicate and refined character. At the same time, because the undercoating process uses a generous amount of lacquer, the ware also possesses high durability. The vivid expression achieved through decorative techniques such as maki-e and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) is another hallmark unique to Kyo-shikki. As a craft that combines both practicality and beauty, it embodies the aesthetic sensibility and refined technique cultivated in Kyoto over its long history, carried on to the present day.