News｜Aoyama MIHONCHO

TAKEO is starting AOYAMA PRODUCT STOCK, an initiative at Aoyama MIHONCHO that takes advantage of our expertise in paper and paper processing to engage in the joint development of a range of corporate products.

 

The first project in this initiative is Paper Altar, conducted jointly with Wakabayashi Butsugu, a well-established company that has manufactured Buddhist altars and altar fittings in Kyoto for many years. 

 

We invited designers Haruka Misawa and Koichiro Oniki to work with Wakabayashi Butsugu, which was looking into the possibility of using materials other than wood as the main material for Buddhist altars, to develop Buddhist altars using paper materials. The project is presenting four prototypes before the final products go on sale in spring 2024, revealing a new way to worship made possible by paper.

 

Wakabayashi Butsugu Mfg

 

Maker of Buddhist altars and altar fittings that was established in 1830. Works with many artisans to provide everything from the manufacture of Buddhist altar fittings for Buddhist temples to interior finishing work and the manufacture of Buddhist altars for homes. Now utilizes expertise accumulated over the years to repair historical structures, including national treasures and important cultural assets throughout Japan. Based on its mission to foster and improve kogei expertise and pass it down to future generations and to protect the spirit and culture of Buddhist worship, in addition to its existing business, it has recently been engaging in new businesses that leverage the expertise of artisans who make Buddhist altar fittings and the development of original brands that suit people’s lifestyles. www.wakabayashi.co.jp/

 

Design:

 

Haruka Misawa (Nippon Design Center, Inc.)

Designer. Born in 1982 in Gunma Prefecture. Director of the Misawa Design Institute at Nippon Design Center. Associate Professor in the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University. After graduating from the Interior Design Course at Musashino Art University and working at a furniture manufacturer and design office, joined Hara Design Institute at Nippon Design Center. Founded Misawa Design Institute in 2014. Uses an experimental approach, attempting to observe the principles behind things and visualize the unknown possibilities to be found there. misawa.ndc.co.jp/

 

Koichiro Oniki (Oniki Design Studio)

Architect, designer. Born in Tokyo Prefecture in 1977. Spent childhood in the UK. After studying architecture at Waseda University, went to work at the integrated architectural design firm Nikken Sekkei, and, later, nendo, Inc. Worked on space design projects throughout the world as nendo’s chief director for ten years. Established Oniki Design Studio in 2015, and formally incorporated it in 2017. Handles a wide range of projects, mainly architecture, interior design, and exhibition space design. First-class registered architect. oniki-design-studio.com/

 

Joint organizers: Aoyama MIHONCHO, TAKEO Co., Ltd., Wakabayashi Butsugu Mfg

Production: Yusuke Makita (Construct)

Art direction: Yoshiki Uchida, Takuya Wada (cosmos inc.)

Fabrication collaborators: Ace Package Co., Ltd., Kobayashi-Dansai., Ltd, Sarutoru Corporation, Shoei Co., Ltd., Taiseishiki Seisakusho, Choetsu Kaken Co., Ltd., To-hoku Shigyo-sha, KK Newel Goshi, Misuzudo Bindery, Rokka Corporation

 

Venue / Contact info:

TAKEO Co., Ltd. Aoyama MIHONCHO

Place Aoyama Bldg. 1F,

4-2-5 Shibuya, Tokyo map

Tel. 03-3409-8931