village revitalization

Have you ever seen the summer field of snow skiing?
Different from Winter season,the field is covered with beautiful greens and the mountain bring the comfortable breeze and it makes us feel refreshed. In this summer the "wood veneered shade lamp" was set up in the green ski-field.

This event was come from the idea of Mr.Juniji Kitamura,who is the multi-talented person in Otari Village NAGANO.His profession is photographer but he is active as ski-instructor,coordinator of local activities,and reporter on local TV program..... his life is contributing the development of local town by providing the opportunities for many people to recognize the true value of his local area.

Those wood veneered shade lumps set up in the field was made by children who belong to "KIDS-SKI club" organized by TSUGAIKE SKI-SCHOOL. Mr.Kitamura and school staffs organized this event not only for fun but also they wish the children to increase the sence of love for their birthplace by giving the opportunity of village revitalization.



The sence of love for birthplace which was given in this event, be expected to be memorized in children's mind and it would be taken over for long. Mr.Kitamura is always drawing the design of his birthplace-future and his challanges would be continued. He is expecting to exhibite this lamp-exhibiton on the snow-field in winter ski-season,and wish to involve many skiers come from other town.



*Japanese 日本語訳

皆さんは夏のスキーゲレンデを訪れたことがありますか？
夏のスキーゲレンデは、緑豊かで山風も涼しくとてもリフレッシュできる世界です。
この夏、”樹灯かり”がこの緑のゲレンデに出現！このイベントは長野県小谷村でマルチタレントとして活躍するプロカメラマン北村順二氏のアイデアによって開催されました。北村順二氏は、スキーインストラクター、イベント企画運営、そしてローカルＴＶのレポーターを務めるなど地元の良さを広くアピールしながら地域振興に貢献しつづける地域の人気者。
この”樹灯かり”も北村氏がコーチを務める栂池スキースクール”ちびっこスキークラブ”の子ども達によって製作、そして展示されました。 北村氏とスクールスタッフは子ども達に工作の楽しみを与えるだけではなく、地域の次世代を担う子ども達に郷土愛を育むセンスを養ってもらう機会としてこのイベントを企画し、子ども達がこの経験を通して郷土を愛する気持ちを高め、そして永く次世代へ受け継がれることを祈念して実施されました。このように北村氏は常に郷土の将来を描きつづけ、そしてこれからも地域振興の大きな原動力としてその活躍を期待されています。この冬、雪で覆われたゲレンデに”樹灯かり”が灯されて、多くの観光者を呼び込む・・・そんな壮大な夢も現実になるかも？

VOYAGE

FUNATURU KYOTO KAMOGAWA RESORT was newly opned in KIYAMACHI KYOTO town where the tipical old row of houses along a city street faced beautiful KAMOGAWA river.
The building was build in 80years ago as the hotel but now it is redecorated to the wedding institution.The building was well cordinated that the exterior was never modifyed in order not to obstruct the old row of houses of KYOTO ,but interior was well modifyed combing with the new modern design intothe tipical Japanese lofty building style.

Mr.Shuhei Sasaoka(WASABI CO,ltd) took part in working this as a interior designer.Once he visited there as the inspection ,he kept his eyes on the location of KIYAMACHI street.The buidings faced to the narrow street on the entrance side ,but on the other side, we can command a wide view of KAMO-River and beautiful mountains. That situation lead the visitors could feel the tense atmosphere on the street,but once they enter the buildings they could luxuriate the feeling of relax and freedom.That is the distinctive feature of this town that they have been invited many visitors for long years, and it must express the hospitality of KYOTO people.

With this impresstion, he recognized that this feeling must be the same with the couple in the mariage.And the idea struck him to set up the concept of this project that he would express the key-word as"Travel". It does not mean the geografical travel but it express the new life of two in the marriage.

Many maried couple would departure from there with happiness and would have a wonderful life so long. VON VOYAGE!

*Japanese 日本語訳

‘FUNATSURU’は木屋町松原の鴨川に面した、築80年を超える地上4階地下1階建ての楼閣風建築をリニューアルしたブライダル施設。京都らしい景観を壊すことなく外観はそのまま利用し、インテリアに関しては古い建物を利用しつつも要所要所にモダンデザインを巧く組み込んでいる。㈱ワサビ　笹岡周平氏がコンセプト策定と内装デザインを担当。笹岡氏は初めて現場を視察した際、木屋町独特の雰囲気を感じたという。木屋町に立つ建物は京都の古風な町並みを入り口としながらも、反対方向は鴨川や遠く京都の山々を広く眺めつことができる展望をもつ。その独特のロケーションが訪れる人々に”旅”の緊張感と開放感を与え、そのことが訪問者に安心感ややすらぎを与えることに気づいたと語る。彼はその感覚が新郎新婦の新しい門出（旅）にふさわしいと捉え、今回、この鮒鶴のコンセプトテーマを”旅”と位置づけた。笹岡氏の斬新なセンスにより具現化されたFUNATSURUは、先鋭的なデザインと伝統的な文化の調和、そして時空の”旅”を表現するというコンセプトのもと、多くのカップルに幸せと素晴らしい人生の”旅”をもたらし続けるであろう。

veneers perching on a twig

who could recognized that this strikingly beautiful object is made for shoehorn?
Its charming streamlined shape is made up with natural veneer and it really realize the smooth and softness feeling when you put on your shoes.

This product is designed by KAICHIRO YAMADA who participate activities in Interior product design in Japan.

Worked as the research associate, Faculty of Interior Design, Musashino Art University until 2003 after graduating from there in 1997. He established the design studio KAICHIDESIGN in 2004 and started his creating activities.

In recent years,some of his products was exhibited and praized in SaloneSatellite in Milan and now he is sure to be one of the noteworthly designer appear on the scene.

The shoehorn is named "PERCH shoehorn"and it is come from his

image that " shoehorn that is perching on a shoe box like a bird".

His striking beauty designs and its charming names always brought us to the world of fairy tale!

*Japanese　日本語訳

なんと美しい形をした靴べらなんでろう？
この美しく繊細な流線を奏でる靴べらは突板を成型して作られており、そのデザインはスムースでソフトな履き心地を保証しているかのようだ。このプロダクトはインテリアプロダクトを中心に国内外でデザイン活動を展開している山田　佳一郎氏の作品である。１９９７年、武蔵野美術大学デザインコースを終了後、２００３年まで同研究所で助手を務めた後、２００４年に独立。近年では国内はもとより、ミラノサローネでも賞を受賞するなど国際舞台でも注目を浴びる日本人デザイナーである。この靴べらは"PERCH SHOEHORN"とタイトルが付けられ、”小鳥がとまるように掛けておける靴べら”という副題をもつ。美しいデザインとその特徴あるネーミングを付けられた彼のプロダクトは常に私たちを夢のおとぎ話の世界へ導いてくれるように優しく存在する。

Turn off the lights.Take it slow.

Turn off your lights for two hours from 8 to 10 p.m. on the evening of June 21.
Do something special . . .Read a book with your child by candlelight. Enjoy a quiet dinner with a special person.This night can mean many things for many people.A time to save energy, to think about peace, to think about people in distant lands who share our planet.
Pulling the plug open the window to a new world.Awakens as to human freedom and diversity. It is a process of discovery about our potential.However you spend them, for just tow hours, join us.Turning off the lights, and help us spreada gentle wave of candlelight around the earth.
On the evening of June 21, from 8 to 10 p.m.Turn off the lights. Take it slow.



One Japanese University professor planned to organize an "unplugged" movement in Japan, together with some of his fellows. They named their initiative "Candle Night," hoping to involve as many as one million people. It was initiated on the summer solstice of June 2003.
"Candle Night" suggests spending some time in more natural light, away from everyday life and artificial lighting. It's not a movement intending to force people to turn off their lights or to raucously protest against anything.
While planning, the group discussed what the best dates would be to turn off the lights simultaneously across the country. They agreed it should not be a national holiday or anniversary that only a few countries would celebrate. It should be a day that all countries recognize, like the summer and winter solstices.
Responding to the call from key promoters of the Candle Night (the Candle Night Committee), governments and businesses started to support the movement. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment, a partner of Candle Night, started a nationwide "Lights Down" campaign on the summer solstice in June 2003. Major landmarks including the Clock Tower in Sapporo, the Tokyo Tower, castles, and corporate buildings, turned off their lights as part of the Lights Down campaign in support of Candle Night.
The Candle Night Committee and the Ministry of the Environment bring it to our attention. Many people agree to organize Candle Night and they would made some action and events regarding to this movement


YASUTA Veneered Surfaces & Design also makes the action distributing the "wood shade candle kit" among clients and local children in oder to promote this movement.

*Japanese　日本語訳

私たちは100万人のキャンドルナイトを呼びかけます。2008年の夏至の日、6月21日夜、8時から10時の2時間、みんなでいっせいにでんきを消しましょう。ロウソクのひかりで子どもに絵本を読んであげるのもいいでしょう。しずかに恋人と食事をするのもいいでしょう。ある人は省エネを、ある人は平和を、ある人は世界のいろいろな場所で生きる人びとのことを思いながら。プラグを抜くことは新たな世界の窓をひらくことです。それは人間の自由と多様性を思いおこすことであり、文明のもっと大きな可能性を発見するプロセスであると私たちは考えます。一人ひとりがそれぞれの考えを胸に、ただ2時間、でんきを消すことで、ゆるやかにつながって「くらやみのウェーブ」を地球上にひろげていきませんか。2008年、6月21日、夏至の日。よる8時から10時。でんきを消して、スローな夜を。100万人のキャンドルナイト。

この運動はある大学教授が電気を消す”アンプラグド”運動を彼の友人達と企画しました。彼らはそのイベントを”キャンドルナイト”と称し１００万人規模の運動にできることを目指し、２００３年度の夏至の日に実行したのが始まりでした。キャンドルナイトは電気を消すことで日常の生活を見つめなおす”ひととき”を過ごす事を提唱する運動です。といえども無理やりに消灯したり何かに反抗するための運動ではありません。彼らはこの企画の日を夏至の日に設定しました。なぜなら各国、各文化の記念日を祝うのではなく万国共通の夏至、冬至の日をキャンドルナイトの日と設定したのです。このムーブメントは政府や企業を巻き込み今やひとつの大きなイベントとして成長し東京タワーを始め各地観光スポットやオフィスビルもこの企画に賛同し、また多くのNPOやNGOを中心に各地でキャンドルナイトのイベントが開催されるようになりました。YASUTA VS+Dでも”樹あかり　キット”を顧客や地元の子ども達に配布し、この企画のプロモーションに参画しています。

Re-Discover. the Japanese modern

Hotel KAICHORO is newly featured as the excelsior hotel of the time-honored(over 400years) tradition hotel FUKUICHI which is located in Ikaho-Hot Springs area in Gunma prefecture Japan.
There the guests can stay in luxury in the quiet and sophisticated atmosphere with excellent meal, Spa-facility ,of course the warm hospitality of the hotel staffs.
The space design was considered under the concept of "和" (Japanese style )which is not typical tradition but it would build up one of the new style of interior scene recognized as the "Internationalized Japanese modern".

The architect Kakuo Matsumura(Kakuo Architect office,KYOTO Japan) is the leading person of Japanese modern architecture and he is energetically promoting it in his works.
The rooms is stage-designed with calm and peaceful atmosphere featuring verious Japanese wood well combined with the lighting effects. Even the atmosphere is surely based on Japanese sensibility which we feel so comfortable, but the style of interior is quite different from our old typical tradition of Japanese.That is the point which we even Japanese would be deeply impressed favorably with his this work.
Matsumura was born and spend most of his life in Kyoto the old metropolis where they still keep the old culture and architecture-style. With this situation and addition of his internationalized taste of idea have been created such a new "Internationalized - Japanese- modern".
You can not miss his strikingly original design works when you would visit to Japan!!

*Japanese　日本語訳

「諧暢楼」は４００年の歴史を持つ伊香保温泉の老舗ホテル「福一」の別館として新しく開業したホテルです。この宿では洗練された客室、スタッフの暖かいおもてなし、そして地産地消の食材を使った料理やスパ施設といったサービスも充実しており、静かで洗練されたラグジュアリーなひとときを過ごせる宿となっています。この宿のデザインのコンセプトは”インターナショナル　ジャパニーズモダン”。日本の個性美を押し付けるのではなく、世界に認められる美を日本式に表現するというこのデザインスタイルは京都在住の松村佳久男氏（カクオ　アーキテクト　オフィス）によって手がけられたました。日本の樹をふんだんに使い、ライティングで静かさと落ち着きを表現する各部屋は、とても快適で我々日本人にとっても印象深い雰囲気をかもしだしています。松村氏は古都、京都で生まれ育ち。磨きぬかれた日本文化に対するセンスを基に、国際感覚を融合させた彼は新しいジャパニーズモダンの先駆者として注目を浴び続けています。

Know What He Is Surfing !

In 1980,Shawn Stussy was a local cult surfboard shaper who took his scrawled signature logo from his foam masterpieces and applied it to T-shirts that he sold along with his boards around Laguna Beach,California. His clothing design was soon developed into the beach culture and it's modern aesthetic design was became a topic of professional musician in New York and London.

STUSSY clothing was inspired by such musicians which helped to shape the brand into an international streetwear label.

Now there are several STUSSY shops are developing around Japan and every interior design is strikingly origin.

The STUSSY YURAKUCHO (design and constructed by B.C.RECORDS Inc) features the Frassiono Olivato Veneer,and it's modern aesthetic design is something in common with the origin spirit of Mr.Stussy that he started drawing the picture on the pure white shaped surfboard.

Now another shop STUSSY SAPPORO will be open soon which would also feature the epoch-making veneer design. We would expect that STUSSY would engage the big interest not only to surfers, musicians, but also to interior designers.

*Japanese 日本語訳

１９８０年　カリフォルニア　ラグナビーチのサーフボード職人のShawn　Stussy氏は彼のサインをサーフボードとTシャツに書き込み販売したところ、彼のTシャツデザインはまたたくまにビーチで評判となり、そして直ぐにニューヨークやロンドンのプロミュージシャン達の話題にもなりました。この様にSTUSSYの服はこれら世界を駆け巡るミュージシャンが好んで着用したために世界的に有名なストリートウエアとして広がりを見せ、日本でも各地で専門店が登場することになりました。店舗デザインにおいても彼の精神が受け継がれ、独特のセンスでSTUSSYブランドのイメージを作り上げています。写真のSTUSSY　有楽町店では（B.C.RECORDS Inc　デザイン・施工)では、珍しい Frassiono Olivatoの突板を採用しており、”白いサーフボードにイニシャルを書き込む”という彼のスピリッツが現れているようにも感じられます。有楽町店以外の店舗でも個性豊かな突板が採用されており、今後STUSSYはサーファーやミュージシャンの愛好者に加え、インテリア好きにも目を離せない存在になると期待をしています。

reconsideration of medern design

no feeling of a struggle to create the amazing space,he always start to planning the design by drawing the sketch with his inspiration which comes from his memories play in the mountains or fields in his boyhood.
Japanese Interior Designer Hiroki Michishita, he always adopt the elements and sensitivity of Mother nature into his design works instinctively.
Leaves,Trees,Flowers,birds,Insects.......every natural resources show it's characteristic expression and design,their beauty is made with the long term of removal of excess and only the retention of the necessary.
The grains of wood ,patterns of active fault, such textures are impressive never made by human technology. The smell of air,sound of small river, wind blowing.....those elements are also the important resources to feel us the peaceful time.
He is surely good at fitting those kind of natural sensitivity to make the modern space design. That might be the reason why his designed works never grow us tired and keep us comfortable for a long time.




Japanese Restaurant SUGAHARA is located in city of Osaka.
This project is also full of Michishita's sensitivity.The facade is look like a cumulonimbus cloud and the stairs seems leading us to go up to the Heaven.

Climb up the entrance stairs and once step into the inside of the restaurant,the space is well produced with the warmly comfortable atmosphere with woods,stones and greens which makes us to forget the noise of outside street.

The unique wooden lattice doors well produce the atmosphere of tipical Japanese house. In this case, due to the strict regulation of fire flammability that he could not use the thick solid wood., Instead, he adopt the 3 plyed veneer with the inflammable paper inside,and and of course the edge is covered with same veneer which looks like net with real solid wood.
Wall panels and furniture is also made with same "Java" veneer which produce the atmosphere,not strongly Japanese, but modern.

So many new designed projects appear in nowadays,and we trend to be inflexible that the design must be very impressive and amazing one. But sometimes, those flamboyant design would be disappeard soon with tiresomeness.

However Michishita's design work never strongly force the strong impression on us, but it just feel us comfortable. He is surely the designer who recognize what "design" must work for.

*Japanese 日本語訳

子どものころに野山で遊びながら見ていた景色や体で覚えた感覚をもとにスケッチのドローイングを始める。
日本を代表するインテリアデザイナー　道下浩樹氏は自然界にあるデザインの要素や感性を本能的にそのデザインワークに取り入れている。葉、樹、石、花、鳥、虫・・・全ての自然界を構成する物質には長年に渡り無駄を取り除いてきた合理的な形が存在し、まさにそれは究極のデザインであり、樹の杢理、活断層の模様・・・それらのテクスチャーは決して人間がそのテクノロジーを持っても表現できない不思議な力を持ち、また大気の香りや、小川が流れる音、土の匂い・・・は人々に安らぎを与える大切な要素であると彼は語る。彼はこのような自然界における要素を空間デザインに取り入れているのであろう。彼の携わったプロジェクトは斬新ながらも快適で飽きのこない、そして何故か懐かしさをかんじさせられるものが多い。
大阪郊外の日本料理店”すがはら”は、道下氏らしいセンスが伺われる。入道雲のようなファザード、そして天へ導いてくれるような階段が出迎える。店内に足を踏み入れるとそこは樹や石、緑をふんだんに使った暖かい空間が広がり、繁華街の雑音を忘れさせるようだ。
木を編みこんだ個性あふれる建具は、個室の内と外を微妙な関係で繋ぐデザインであり、壁面と同様"Java"の突板で装飾されている。和の雰囲気を持ちつつもモダンな雰囲気を作る樹種だ。無垢感を大切にする道下氏ではあるが、不燃等の内装制限や意匠デザインの関係で突板も多く採用している。この建具も不燃処理された突板パネルに小口装飾を施し、無垢調に仕上げている。
最近、斬新で強いインパクトを持つデザインが目立つ中、直ぐに飽きられしまうデザインも少なくない。しかしながら道下氏が手がける自然の摂理を基としたデザインワークは、斬新でありつつも、飽きの来ない、いつまでも心地よさを持ち続ける現場が多い。デザインは誰の為にあるのか？彼はそのことを良く理解しているデザイナーなのであろう。