EPISODE OF FAUNDATION / FOUNDER'S THOUGHT
After the passing of the founder, I succeeded his name. To cope with various changes in the architecture industry that have taken place over the past 75 years, I have presented products to the National Joinery Exhibition since 2003, where I won top prizes for four consecutive years. Prompted by this feat, I registered the trademark "Kumikokagu (kumiko furniture)." The first class architect office established 15 years ago has contributed significantly to my furniture making in terms of design and securing structural strength.
CRAFTMAN'S THOUGHT, COMMITMENT / RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY
The development and launch of a new product is the pleasure that I share with my customers, and I consider it as the essence of monozukuri based on traditional Japanese culture, a source of comfort, and the succession of traditional techniques. In the current world where online shopping and social network services are rife, it is my earnest wish to become connected with people in Japan and around the world to become a business that promotes friendship, economic growth, peaceful society and cultural communication. In 2019, I exhibited "Mona Risa" in the Japan Wood Design Exhibition and won a prize. In 2020, my product received a Good Skill mark (as products that promote wooden joinery craft) from the Central Skills Promotion Center, which is awarded to those with skills that contribute to the development of vocational ability in Japan. I am committed to making kumiko joineries and living ware of exceptional quality.
A table from the kumikokagu series designed together with "Smile" using curved wood frames. The legs, composed of two curved wood frames that cross at two points, are a unique and innovative feature of this Manbo table. This piece featuring a shape that suggests a sense of bounciness provides a perfect space for relaxation. Lightweight and easy to move, it is a popular product among women. Suitable for hotels, inns, shops and at home.
A zaisu (legless chair) from the kumikokagu series suitable for both western- and Japanese-style rooms. A kumiko craftwork is applied to the backrest of the chair. The curved kumiko technically requires an extremely sophisticated skill-set. After painstaking work, I managed to make a sturdy backrest that fits snugly. An excellent piece that incorporates kumiko craftwork.
A bench using curved laminated wood frames crossed in an X shape on the side, while supporting the backrest of the chair at the same time. An ambitious work employing variation of the existing design. Coloring and cushions are available by order. A popular three-seater bench.
A zaisu (legless chair) made of Japanese cypress from the kumikokagu series suitable for both western- and Japanese-style rooms. Kumiko craftwork is applied to the backrest and armrest of the chair. The aroma of the wood and the striking beauty of the honnejigumi craftwork create a soothing atmosphere.
A foldable rocking chair that incorporates kumiko craftwork. Stimulates playfulness in adults. Reminiscent of a director's chair, you can enjoy a sense of creativity while sitting on it. The sturdiness and beauty of kumiko craftwork and the playfulness of a rocking chair are miraculously entwined with the functionality of the masterpiece "Morgens Koch foldable chair." It is our studio's original piece I proudly present!
A sister product in the "Symbol" series of kumikokagu. A tatami mat was added to the seat of the original design to give it more of a Japanese touch. The piece fits naturally into the lifestyle in this ageing society, where people are increasingly opting for chairs rather than sitting on the floor to cope with leg weakness. A sister product of the piece that won a Japan Wood Design Award in 2019, in which you can immerse yourself in the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional Japanese kumiko craftwork.
A foldable table to go with the Yellow Submarine chair.
A renewed model produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the birth of kumikokagu. While maintaining the original structure passed down from the founder, I succeeded in reducing the weight to 60%. At the same time, the delicate feature of the kumiko craftwork is enhanced by boldly downsizing each frame, which previously measured 20 mm x 30 mm, to 9 mm x 20 mm, with proven sturdiness. I have thus succeeded in creating a kumiko pattern with dimensions close to those of artistic kumiko joineries that generally measure 2 mm x 10 mm. Suitable for hotels, Japanese-style inns, stores, and at home.
A renewed model produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the birth of kumikokagu. A table to go with the Norwegian Wood chair. While maintaining the original structure passed down from the founder, I succeeded in reducing the weight to 60%. At the same time, the delicate feature of the kumiko craftwork is enhanced by boldly downsizing each frame, which previously measured 20 mm x 30 mm, to 9 mm x 20 mm, with proven sturdiness. I have thus succeeded in creating a kumiko pattern with dimensions close to those of artistic kumiko joineries that generally measure 2 mm x 10 mm. Suitable for hotels, Japanese-style inns, stores, and at home.
A renewed model produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the birth of kumikokagu. While maintaining the original structure passed down from the founder, I succeeded in reducing the weight to 60%. At the same time, the delicate feature of the kumiko craftwork is enhanced by boldly downsizing each frame, which previously measured 20 mm x 30 mm, to 9 mm x 20 mm, with proven sturdiness. I have thus succeeded in creating a kumiko pattern with dimensions close to those of artistic kumiko joineries that generally measure 2 mm x 10 mm. Suitable for hotels, Japanese-style inns, stores, and at home.
A renewed model produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the birth of kumikokagu. A table to go with the love me do chair. While maintaining the original structure passed down from the founder, I succeeded in reducing the weight to 60%. At the same time, the delicate feature of the kumiko craftwork is enhanced by boldly downsizing each frame, which previously measured 20 mm x 30 mm, to 9 mm x 20 mm, with proven sturdiness. I have thus succeeded in creating a kumiko pattern with dimensions close to those of artistic kumiko joineries that generally measure 2 mm x 10 mm. Suitable for hotels, Japanese-style inns, stores, and at home.
An ergonomically designed masterpiece chair produced commemorating the 10th anniversary of the birth of kumikokagu. A kumiko craftwork is applied at the backrest of the chair incorporating the components of zaisu (legless chair), which can be used both in western- and Japanese-style rooms. This curved kumiko requires an extremely sophisticated skill-set. After painstaking work, I managed to make a sturdy backrest that fits snugly. An excellent piece that incorporates kumiko craftwork.
A foldable rocking chair that stimulates playfulness in adults. A variation of the rocking chair rearranged for women by using a cloth that creates a warm atmosphere. Lightweight and easy to carry, it is cherished as a chair for personal use. It stands alone when folded, which demonstrates the stability of the chair. This is one reason the piece continues to enjoy customer trust. You can enjoy a sense of creativity in this chair. Suitable for hotels, Japanese-style inns, stores, and at home.
A miniature version (scaled down to 25%) of "Symbol" from the kumikokagu series. A special set of three pieces (black, red and cloth) that look exactly like the real ones. The traditional hishigumi (diamond) structure is arranged by the mastery technique using solid beech wood. A popular product at souvenir shops in hotels and inns. Immerse yourself in the exceptional craftmanship of traditional Japanese kumiko craftwork in this beautiful ornament. A miniature version of the piece that won the Japan Wood Design Award 2019.
Candle Lighting incorporates the traditional Japanese motifs of auspicious omen made of cypress wood. A hemp leaf, which is the symbol of stability and wards off of evil and disasters, is presented. The top lid can be taken off to be used as a wall decoration or as a coaster for sophisticated Edo cut glass. A touch-sensitive switch and dimmer control with a remote controller allow you to enjoy 16 colors in four different patterns. It received the Good Skill mark from the Central Skills Promotion Center, which is awarded to those with skills that contribute to the development of vocational ability in Japan.
An excellent piece incorporating kumiko craftworks which won a prize at the National Joinery Exhibition. You can enjoy the beauty of kumiko joineries made by a craftsman certified with Good Design in this rare ornament, which uses more than 10 types of precious and huge/old wood (Akita cedar, Jindai cedar, Jindai zelkova, cypress, and cherry tree among others). Winning a prize at Japan Wood Design 2019 highlighted the importance of making beautiful living ware, and was welcome news for those who love kumikokagu.
It is fair to say that among kumiko techniques, this honnejigumi (fixed like a woven basket), featuring no unevenness, is the most difficult and thus the most valuable skill of all. Since ancient times, the auspicious omen patterns (kissho-monyo) have symbolized a prayer for happiness. The checkerboard pattern is incorporated in this tray using cypress (confer) and beech (broad leaf tree) with a beautiful and sturdy finish. I proudly recommend this piece to connoisseurs who are looking for more than an off-the-shelf product. This will serve as a decoration on the wall or as a tray to serve sophisticated Edo cut glasses or champaign glasses to add a bit of sparkle when entertaining guests.
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Brand name
Good Skill Marks ZAO
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Product name
KUMIKO work [ZAO]
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Generic name
KUMIKO work
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Materials
Cedar, Jindai cedar, Jindai zelkova etc.
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Person in Charge
Noboru Ito
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Production area
Yamagata Yamagata Japan
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Size
W 12,000 × D 33 × H 20,000 mm
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Weight
46kg
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Domestic retail price
JPY12,500,000 (excluding tax)
A work that won a prize at the National Joinery Exhibition. A screen with an image of Mt. Zao in Yamagata Prefecture measuring 2.0 m x 3.6 m (comprising four panels), on which as many as 120,000 kumiko leaves are fixed to form traditional patterns passed down from ancient times. It took one year to complete this masterpiece, from designing, preparing a full-scale drawing, carving, polishing, and finishing, and was exhibited at the annual National Joinery Exhibition. Produced manually with almost no machine processing, this is undoubtedly one of my greatest works that vied for mastery with the works of other distinguished crafts persons from all over Japan.