Trend

The Influence of Japanese Craftsmanship on Creativity:

Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo, a long-established company since the Edo period, will soon celebrate its first anniversary with the opening of “Kumihimo Experience by DOMYO,” a facility where visitors can observe and experience manufacturing. Founded in 1652, the company has been handling traditional products based on research and study of historical kumihimo attached to cultural properties throughout Japan since the Meiji era (1868-1912), while at the same time adhering to hand-dyeing and hand-braiding, and passing down the tradition of traditional products from the Edo period by accumulating research on historical kumihimo associated with cultural properties nationwide, as well as handling items that utilize its techniques for modern Western wear.

“Tradition and innovation” are often keywords requested by clients when GARDE engages in space design, but their traditional craftsmanship, symbolic of Japanese culture, also provides us with much inspiration for our creativity. Space design is rarely completed solely with functionality, but by adding the essence of aesthetics, it becomes a place where people want to be and feel they belong.

Product design is similar; for example, among the product lineup of Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo, there is a “sword strap” that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. Its uses include:

– A strap for carrying the sword during transport
– A tasuki for tying up kimono sleeves that get in the way during fighting
– Cords for packing or tying up captives
– Spare laces for protective gear such as helmets/armor and footwear in case they break
– To stop bleeding in case of injury

It was used for various purposes. While a rope would suffice as a tool, its decorative beauty already constitutes art.

Branding = “attachment” created by function + α

Traditional culture, such as Japanese clothing, Japanese-style houses, and family crests, bestows “attachment” to fundamental usability through functionality + α, contributing to the branding of individuals and organizations. Traditional Japanese products also offer many insights into GARDE’s creativity.

GARDE official website URL:
https://www.garde-intl.com/
Design Magazine URL:
https://www.gardedesignmagazine.com/

■”Kumihimo Experience by DOMYO” facility:
Business hours: 11:00-19:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays)
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: 6-75 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://kdomyo.com/pages/experience
Management Company: Domyo Co.,Ltd
Source: Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo website https://kdomyo.com/

The sakura blooming season, which can usually be enjoyed from late March to mid-April, will soon arrive. The sakura viewing spots that were restricted due to the Covid-19 have now been completely lifted, and both Japanese and foreign tourists are excited about this first post-Corona sakura viewing season.

The Meguro River, a famous hanami spot, is so well known as a tourist attraction that cruise tours are organized during the period, and at night, the illuminated sakura tunnels create a fantastic world on the surface of the river.

In recent years, home-use interior decorations have become popular for those who want to enjoy sakura viewing in a more convenient way.

Sakura growing kits that even beginners can easily grow and sakura bonsai that can be used to accent interior decorations are excellent items for adding color to spring at home.

In addition, viewing sakura is not the only way to enjoy them.

For example, the Israel cosmetics brand SABON has upcycled the sakura trees decorating the interior of its flagship store in the spring of 2023.

After attracting many visitors, the sakura trees are not disposed of as they are, but rather are sawn, dried, carefully processed, and reborn as hand mirrors, which are sold in limited quantities.

This kind of sustainable approach not only preserves the environment but also provides people with new values and ways of enjoying their creations.

When the blooming season arrives, sakura are in full bloom everywhere, making the entire city turn into sakura colors.

While there are traditional ways to enjoy sakura, such as the traditional Hanami event, there are also some cases where sakura are used as materials for interior decorations, and there are also some efforts to provide consumers with added value.

How about finding your own way to enjoy sakura that Japan can be proud of?

Image Credit: Mark Tegethoff, Unsplash, ＊takechaaaan＊, makoto.h, photo AC

Opened in 2023, this café is a place where you can experience the beauty of Japanese culture, technology, and tradition in a unique space that combines Japanese tradition and modernity. We have long paid attention to its special appearance, which stands out even on Kotto-dori, a street with many cafes, because of its location near Minami-Aoyama 5-chome and the headquarters of GARDE.

The key visual bonsai is created by Teppei Kojima ( https://www.instagram.com/teppei_kojima501/ ) of TRADMAN’S BONSAI, a group of bonsai artists with a passionate fan base in Japan and abroad.

Through the four seasons and food culture of Japan, the cafe aim to contribute to society by promoting transparency of producers and production processes, raising awareness of “food safety,” “self-sufficiency,” and “climate change,” and through sustainable initiatives to solve common global problems.

The adjoining Ark Gallery offers a variety of cultural experiences, including workshops and exhibits and sales of bonsai, contemporary art, pottery, and other items.  Multi-lingual staff members are on hand to provide cultural experiences to inbound visitors.

Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery
Opening date: December 2, 2023
Business hours: 10:00-
Closed: irregular closing schedule
Address: Barizon104 1F, 5-4-27 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matsubayasaryo/

For further information, please click the following link:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000132679.html

Image Credit: Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery

A fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian influences creates a style colloquially referred to as “Japandi.”  A quick search on Pinterest or Instagram alone will prove how popular this term and style are becoming. There are 500k (and growing) example posts to choose from.

Ever since the pandemic in 2020, there has been a growing interest in home design and private spaces. Combined with the stress of technological advancement which overwhelmingly surrounds us, this led to a renewed appreciation of simplicity.

In this cultural environment, Japandi seems to be the answer for many interior lovers. The trend has received attention in the US from international fashion magazines, with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner taking to the internet to show off her japandi kitchen. An American fashion and lifestyle magazine explains the Japandi style as “a merging of two historic ‘less-is-more’ cultures (…) It is about creating uncluttered spaces accented with functional objects like vases and mugs over decorative ones. Natural light, too, is prioritized.”

Despite the trend having risen mostly outside of Japan, domestic furniture and lifestyle stores were also quick to pick up on it and make the trend their own by recommending new furniture accordingly. It’s easy to recognize the common values in Japanese and Scandinavian lifestyles, which see depth in modesty (think neutral color palettes such as beige), as well as comfort in natural materials (think wood, stone, and bamboo).

The Japanese and the Scandinavian philosophies with their roots in simplicity seem to merge effortlessly in this trend: the “wabi-sabi” in Japan and “hygge” in Scandinavian, have been part of people’s lives for centuries, and it is predicted many more to come.

Photo: Don Kaveen

In 2018 , the Nippon Foundation collaborated with Shibuya City and its Tourism Association to launch “The Tokyo Toilet.”

The project, which has since attracted a lot of media attention, domestic and international alike, aims to eliminate the negative stigma of public toilets and realize a society that recognizes a diversity of users.

17 Public Toilet Renovation Projects in Shibuya City

Since its start, they have renovated 17 public toilets in Shibuya City. 16 world-renowned architects and designers participated, challenged to solve social problems with their creative power, improving the toilet’s maintenance as well. To know more about the projects’ philosophy, we recommend you view this cinematic advertisement.

“The Tokyo Toilet” Inspired Award-winning Feature Film “Perfect Days”

German filmmaker Wim Wenders was also invited to Tokyo to take a look at the uniqueness of each facility. First introduced to this project by Koji Yanai, president of Fast Retailing, Wenders imagined a feature film, co-written by Takuma Takasaki and starring Yakusho Kōji, who won best actor at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for his lead role in “Perfect Days”.

In Japan, it’s long been important to always keep toilets clean, to the point they’ve come to represent the symbol of Japan’s world-class “omotenashi” hospitality culture.

The Importance of Improving Quality of Life Through Inclusive Design

In Japan, toilets are ubiquitous. However, due to the stereotype that many public toilets are dark, dirty and smelly, people’s use has been limited. Since the renovations, it was reported in a survey conducted by Nippon Foundation that the project is having its effect, improving the image of public toilets.

Compared to before the restrooms were renovated, use of the Public Toilets have increased sevenfold and fivefold in two locations, while the number of people voicing aversion to public toilets shrank from some 30% to a mere 3%.

The hope of Nippon Foundation is that access to attractive and clean public toilets will boost the image of surrounding areas, with the facilities becoming tourist attractions in their own right.

Our hope as designers is to have succeeded in shedding some light on how important public design for public spaces is, and the positive effect that it can have on society, always keeping in mind the users first and foremost.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――
Photo: Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
――――――――――――――――――――――――――

THE TOKYO TOILET
This project by The Nippon Foundation aims for the realization of a society where all kinds of diversity are accepted, by building public toilets. With the full cooperation of Shibuya city, 17 toilets that are accessible for anyone regardless of gender, age, or disability will be created. Through the power of design and the creativity of 16 creators who support the objectives of this project, The Nippon Foundation is demonstrating what this new society can achieve. The toilets will be constructed by DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO., LTD., and TOTO LTD. will advise on toilet equipment and layout.