New at OEN Shop – Metalwork by Japanese Artisan Tomomi Ishikawa
The appeal of functional ware for me is the time spent and connection shared with such necessary pieces of design. There’s also something fascinating about an object that melts away and becomes a lifelong companion. Tokyo-based metalworker Tomomi Ishikawa grabbed my attention with his characte
New at OEN Shop – Woodwork by Japanese Studio GOLD CRAFT
Elevating functionality and showing us a new way of living through careful design seems to be a topic that’s certainly worthy of focusing on. GOLD CRAFT, a workshop founded in 1963 in Kagawa, Japan have been crafting quite diligently, looking at new methods and ways of producing functional tablewa
New at OEN Shop – Ceramics Handmade by Japanese Studio TOKINOHA
The rarity of a workshop that supports multiple craftsmen and their output is quite rare. I think it takes a particular kind of craftsman to want to go this route, looking to build a sustainable business around craft so that many more can enjoy these kind of works. That’s exactly what Kyoto-based
New Feature – Interview with Japanese designer Kensaku Oshiro
We recently released the ‘Kino Stool’ by Memo Furniture in collaboration with Japanese designer Kensaku Oshiro. Born in Okinawa, Kensaku studied at the Polytechnic School in Milan and worked at Barber & Osgerby in London. Oshiro used the inspiration of the surrounding Seattle landsc
Inside the Workshop – A Short Film on Woodworkers Mori Kougei
This is a real treat! See below our newest short film highlighting the work of Tokushima-based woodworkers Mori Kougei. Mori Woodwork is headed by craftsman Hiroyuki Mori in Tokushima, Japan. Mori specialises in a technique called ‘Tsukiita’ that involves slicing wood in to a thin, paper
Transforming the Ordinary – FRAME House by Kouichi Kimura Architects
This is Japanese architecture at its best! Designed by Kouichi Kimura Architects, the FRAME House is located in Shiga, Japan and has been wonderfully captured here by talented photographer Norihito Yamauchi. Built adjacent to small stream and a selection of cherry trees, Kimura’s goal was to c
New in the Shop – Ceramics by Maiko Wakasugi of Studio Bwanji
I think porcelain is such a beautiful material and when I saw Japanese artist Maiko Wakasugi’s work I had to reach out to her. The vertical inlayed lines on the body of her porcelain pieces catch the light wonderfully and add intrigue that’s sometimes lacking in such a pure white colour. Using a
New in the Shop – The Art of Monozukuri Expressed by Metalworkers SyuRo
On the face of it the Japanese word ‘Monozukuri’ means literally “to make things” in Japanese. But the relationship between human and object is much stronger than one might first assume. The appreciation for hand techniques, craftsmanship, and ethic are all wrapped in to this
Stone Cut – A Short Film on Sculptor Etsuro Sotoo by David Cerqueiro
Who doesn’t like a good short film? I came across this stunning piece by Director David Cerqueiro for NOWNESS titled ‘Stone Cut’ that gives us the rare insight in to the lie of sculptor Etsuro Sotoo. Hi work is certainly rare; working on the unfinished masterpiece Basilca Sagrada F
OEN Member – Design Guides & More on our Patreon Page
Our Top Locations in Helsinki for Art, Design & Craft Inspiration Considering the current climate we know it’s not the best time to write design guides! But we felt strangely nostalgic about the places that have had such an impact on us creatively. Japan was one place, somewhere I’v
New in the Shop – Handcrafted Iron Work by Readymade Products
Manufactured in Fukuoka, Japan are these beautiful cast iron pots branded under the name Readymade Products, a project that’s led by designer Izumi Yoshida. The Yoshida Mould Factory, founded by Izumi’s grandfather in 1934, produces casting moulds for all types of industrial uses and the
