Karimoku Case Study

A lifestyle brand established and based in Japan Respect for tranquil beauty, rich expression of materials, timeless charm. Such values have been embodied by the hands of architects around the world. It brings contemporary charm to a space and tells the story behind it.

Shigeru Nishikawa

Contemporary society, where new residential areas continue to spread throughout the suburbs, and high-rise buildings grow tall in city centers. With the construction of new buildings, the buildings and places that once existed will be forgotten, and the scenery around them will continue to change from moment to moment. What will people throw away, what will they forget, what will they see, and what will they seek in the future? On the other side of the drawn temporary enclosure, there is a changing landscape, a transformation of the world, and a future that will continue to renew the present. This event will exhibit works focusing on the work of architect Norman Foster.

rain / ame　※Until Tuesday, June 6

Enjoy the magnificent scenery of nature in a corner of your room or in the palm of your hand. This may be a Japanese emotion, once that is also common in bonsai, tiny courtyard gardens, and verandas. The “art product” called Rain created by Norihiko Kamei, artist and flower arrangement artist, uses both fresh flowers as well as preserved flowers and art flowers. It contains his desire to make it a work that brings a feeling of the soul being soothed.

Ambientec

A unique portable lighting brand with a technical background of developing and manufacturing underwater photography equipment. Their design and development concept for users who want to use high-quality products for as long as possible not only achieves high-quality lighting with their unique LED control technology, but is also apparent in their unique and modern designs born from talented designers that offers waterproof performance and makes use of the texture of the materials.

TOU

TOU believes that rattan, which live symbiotically on tropical rainforest trees that absorb and fix carbon dioxide, has the most sustainable potential as a material for the furniture we use. Rattan use should lead to the protection of tropical rainforests and result in a sustainable global environment. TOU offers new rattan furniture that harmonizes with modern spaces by combining Indonesian rattan with the reliable technology and design expected from Japanese quality.

JICON × Masanori Ohji

The “JICON” porcelain brand was launched by Imamura Ceramics when it hired handicraft designer Masanori Oji. Instead of the blue and lustrous white of normal Arita porcelain, JICON produces “natural white,” which comes from the natural color of ceramics and glaze, and the texture of the material. The pottery stone used as the raw material is mined in the Amakusa region of Kumamoto Prefecture. JICON hopes to find new benefits in the low-grade stone considered surplus at the site so it can be fully used.

Artek

Founded in 1935, Artek is a Finnish interior brand representing Scandinavian modernity. Artek’s famous “Stool 60” was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933. “Stool 60” will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2023, and is still being manufactured at a Finnish factory using Finnish birch. This anniversary year, Artek will announce a series of 90th anniversary models.

At Aroma

A scent specialty brand that offers total packages from the development of aroma products to scented spaces. Utilizing the functions of aromas made from 100% natural materials, it can provide aroma space designs that appeal to the senses. @aroma is also actively working to utilize unused resources and scarce raw materials by working directly with production areas.

COSONCO QS

A brand born in Hokkaido, created by Kandy House and Somes Saddle. Hitoshi Kuramoto as the designer and Haruhiko Taniuchi as the art director have created art objects that makes you feel enriched in your daily life by actively incorporating scrap materials generated in the manufacturing process of both companies. Not simply upcycling the high-quality materials that nature has blessed us with, they propose appropriate value to the market.

supernova / pirkamonrayke

Two new product brands established by SASAKI, a woodworking craft maker in Asahikawa.

supernova
Using Corian® artificial marble offcuts, SASAKI has created an unprecedented product series based on the experience it has gained handling wood.

pirkamonrayke
Collaboration and competition, cooperation and combination, person and person, material and material, region and region. This is a project brand created by joining forces with appealing production areas and craftsmen around Japan.

Tajimi Custom Tiles

Working tiles designed by Max Lamb. Variations of items such as flower vases, low tables, benches, and partitions are created by combining three-dimensional tiles like a puzzle. In order to bring out the charm of the soil to the fullest, the materials are carefully selected and casting used to create voluminous three-dimensional shapes.

Anri Katsuki　

Attracted by the visual strength of materials, her works are mainly created using metal. The emphasis is on showing off the delicate expression of unpainted bare iron. In recent years, she has focused on her “Aizome Series,” in which the iron is made to shine an indigo shade using a unique method of polishing the surface of the metal and then heating it to bring out the color. She also creates public art that takes advantage of the flexibility that allows metal to melted or bonded using heat.

© Masaki Hamada

Stone of Living

Shapes, colors and textures created by nature. All of them are uneven, so there is fun, surprise, and joy in encountering unique things. Now, return to a child-like sense, find your favorite stone, incorporate it into your room, and live a life where you can touch and feel nature in your daily life. Designed by architect Kiyoaki Takeda, these are products that makes use of the natural irregularities in nature.

MOTON

A product brand that does not limit itself to genres or materials, and produces only what is needed, rather than mass production. Most MOTON products are made by hand, through small-lot production not intended for mass production. MOTON values the delicacy and warmth that come from handwork, and wants to create products that enrich the lives of their users.