Case Study 3: Legacy and Transition—The Case of Batik Katura in Trusmi, Indonesia

Trusmi is a typical batik center in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. This area is the location of numerous batik industries, employing hundreds of skilled artisans, most of whom are residents of Trusmi. One of the batik enterprises in Trusmi is Batik Katura, which was founded in 1974. The name “Batik Katura” derives from the legendary batik artist Katura, born in 1952 in Cirebon. He has been engaged in the art of batik-making since he was 11 years old, and his passion for this craft has motivated him to establish the Batik Katura enterprise. Batik Katura aims to promote the conservation of traditional Indonesian culture by producing a range of designs depicting historical topics and events currently generating significant public interest. Batik Katura has gained global recognition for Cirebon batik and has been introduced to the Japanese market since 1992, where the batik fabric is transformed into kimono, a traditional Japanese clothing. As Katura aged, alongside experiencing regular illnesses, he actively supported his children in sustaining his batik enterprise. Nevertheless, the succession process undertaken by Katura raises the question of how he entrusted his business management to his children. In addition, the progress in technology and the rise of batik enterprises featuring more creative designs impose a significant obligation on the future generation of Katura to maintain the family business’s continuity. This study aims to investigate the Batik Katura family business, which is being offered as a case for future examination.