Yoko Ozawa’s work hit my radar in 2011 and has continued to peak my interest ever since. Last year we met in person and talked about the idea…
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Japan / 1
New in the Shop – Bags Handcrafted by Mami Nakamura of COMON
COMON are a bag brand headed by Mami Kakamura, a designer and creative based in Tokyo. What drew me to Mami’s work is her ability to mix her…
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Rethinking Waste Materials – Anima: Memorial Service by Kosuke Araki
As creatives we often think about our relationship with objects from a human perspective. Why do we connect with such an object? What kind of atmosphere do they…
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New in the Shop – Woodworks by Japanese Workshop Kihachi
Woodworking studio Kihachi Workshop is based in the Yamanaka region of Japan, known for its beautiful mountainous landscape with trees filling every inch. Kihachi are the oldest producer…
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Botanical Animation – Story of Flowers 2 by Artist Makoto Azuma
I remember back in 2012 purchasing the first book by Makoto Azuma titled ‘Encylopedia of Flowers’. Drawn in by the book design by Kenya Hara, a designer who…
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Masking Functional with Sculptural – Ceramics by Noe Kuremoto
For many the idea of working on one form on a consistent basis is seen as quite tedious and fairly boring. It’s been a psychological idea that I’ve…
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New in the Shop – Handturned Bowls & Cups by Shirasagi Woodwork
I’ve been thinking of more ways in which we can leverage our platform and offer support to different studios making great work that have yet to be discovered…
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New Feature – A Look Inside the Workshop of Akiko Ken Made
Even though some of our features are short and sweet, I think it’s important to see inside the maker’s studio and get a sense of their working methods.…
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Experiments in Urushi – Lacquerware by Japanese Artist Genta Ishizuka
A maker of much fascination to me is Japanese lacquer artist Genta Ishizuka. He has used this traditional material to convey some of the contemporary ways in which…
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New in the Shop – Handmade Woodwork by Studio KUKU
I’m fascinated by those makers who are able to craft not only functional pieces using high quality materials, but also somehow incorporate a unique character that makes their…
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OEN Issue 2 – A Visit to Woodworker Shuji Nakagawa’s Studio
With hundreds of years of tradition comes hundreds of years of history to uphold. No pressure then. It takes a special maker to not only take a craft…
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Bringing the Play Back – Architecture by Japanese Studio Tato
We often assign negative connotations to modern architecture, referencing the cold, static nature of such an environment and how the clinical aesthetic doesn’t truly align with what it…
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