Articles — Japan

Last month OOKKUU had the privilege to hold an interview with renowned University of Tokyo professor and Doctor of Engineering, Professor Shuichi Matsumura. With Professor Matsumura’s in-depth knowledge and eloquent narrative, we enjoyed learning about Japan’s unique history of Mono-zukuri (the art of making things) and Ba-zukuri (the art of making places). We hope you enjoy the dialogue and intriguing tales of how Japan developed its exceptional quality and precision in regard to the products they deliver. In this installment, we will focus on the first topic of “How Japan excels in the art of making things.” ___________________________________________ How Japan...

The Bridge Across Table from our Luxury Collection is an all-around stunning piece, but with one look it is automatically clear what its standout feature is. That feature is the table’s solid bronze legs, which are connected to each other by an elliptical shaped “bridge” of sorts. The legs draw attention not only for the vibrant, warm tone of the bronze, but for their attractive and elegant design as well. Through their dedication to monozukuri (the art-of-making), the craftsmen were able to create a unique piece that presents a light and refined design while employing the sturdiness and beauty of...

Kuma the Architect- Many believe that Kengo Kuma is a Pritzker Prize winning architect to be. His role as the designer of the new 2020 Tokyo Olympics stadium is sure to push this already world-renowned architect and University of Tokyo professor even further into the limelight. Kuma's stadium design makes prevalent use of wood and greenery, yet it captures the zeitgeist of today just as Hadid's avant-garde design did, just in a different way. ((Above) Sunny Hills Dessert Shop in Tokyo. Credit: Tokyobling) One interesting aspect of Kuma as an architect is that while he is known now for his personal style and design philosophy, his...

How three Japanese makers are using tradition to innovate in Lighting. Lighting is often the unsung hero of a room, illuminating the things that we wish to highlight without standing out itself. Other times, the lighting itself can be the highlight of the room. No matter how it is used, it is clear that despite the relatively short history of electrical lighting, the field has seen profound innovation and experimentation over the years. In the 20th century, lamps and lanterns developed not only as functional pieces, but as art, with notable contributions like the ARCO floor lamp by Achille and...

What image comes to mind when one hears the word Zen? Perhaps a rock garden or a meditating monk? At first, Zen may seem like something distant and separate from our daily lives, but as we learn from the influential book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values, that is not the case. To the author Pirsig, Zen, a state of peace and insight sought after in Buddhism, can be achieved with regards to any pursuit, but only when one is attuned to the experience and committed to quality work. An understanding of what constitutes “quality...