Casket with lib by Manfred Schmid

An important component of the Japanese art of lacquerwork is the special technique known as ‘urushi’, which uses many layers of wafer-thin, semi-transparent lacquer to create a surface of almost mystical radiance and sensual depth. Today the urushi guild is facing new challenges and is opening its doors to new members in order to safeguard the survival of its craft. The result is the establishment of a dialogue with modern designers from all around the world, whose fascination with Japanese lacquer craftsmanship has prompted them to create their own works using lacquer.

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House in Hekida by fuse-atelier; photo courtesy of the architects

Located on the outskirts of Nakano, Nagano prefecture, this minimalist, single family residence was completed by Shigeru Fuse, a Japanese architect and founder of his namesake practice fuse-atelier whose deconstructed concrete House in Abiko was featured on Dailytonic earlier this month. Surrounded by apple orchards and overlooking the mountains of Kitashiga Kogen, Japan’s popular ski resort, to the east, the development boasts an extensive, open-air roof terrace while to offer its residents privacy, the mezzanine level has been positioned 1.2 meters below the living and dining area on the opposite side of the stepped terrace, consequently limiting the view from outside. (more…)

House in Abiko by fuse-atelier; photo courtesy of the architects

The stark, concrete interiors of this three-storey detached house fold and overlap creating a dramatic effect reminiscent of a three-dimensional greyscale cubist painting backlit by narrow streaks of sharp white light. Developed to echo a ‘gallery-like’, bare environment where the house’s inhabitants are able to display their taste for modern and contemporary furniture, the house rests on a reinforced concrete structure and the 101-square-meters residence was completed by a Japanese architectural practice fuse-atelier in 2011. (more…)

Complex House by Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates; photo by Toshiyuki Yano

This distinctive, metal-clad single family house located in Nagoya was completed earlier last year by a Japanese practice Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates. Featuring an angular, alternating roof, the two-storey residence comprises a number of small rooms on the upper floor while a living area and an enclosed patio are situated on the ground floor of the 100-square-meters house. (more…)

Fukoku Tower by Dominique Perrault Architecture; photo © Daici Ano

Inspired by ‘a gigantic tree whose roots proliferate on the surface of the ground’, this reflective glass-clad office building was completed in 2010 by a renowned Parisian architectural practice Dominique Perrault Architecture. Located in Osaka, Japan, the 28-storey tower was developed for Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company and apart from the office space, the high-rise also encompasses additional facilities such as university laboratory, underground car park and a 4.900-square-meters commercial area. (more…)

Detail view of Yukari Hotta's 'Hako' stool

‘Hako’, Japanese for ‘box’, is quite literal description of the recent product created by a young Tokyo-born Copenhagen-based designer Yukati Hotta. Composed of five separate parts, the beautifully minimalist and quintessentially Japanese ‘Hako’ is a simple, cushion topped wooden stool which can double as a neat, ribbon-wrapped storage piece. ’Hako’ was presented last month at Greenhouse exhibition during this year’s edition of Stockholm Furniture Fair. (more…)

'Block Vase' from 1% products collection by Nendo; photo by Hiroshi Iwasaki

Without a doubt one of the most diligent design teams in Japan, Oki Sato’s much-acclaimed practice Nendo has recently unveiled their latest series of products which are to be launched as part of the 1% collection during the upcoming edition of Milan’s Salone del Mobile 2012. Among them, this series of minimalist, stackable vases called ‘Block.’ Available in four different sizes, the subdued, understated vases will be produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces as ‘to give owners the chance to experience the joy of owning 1%.’ (more…)

Hoto Fudo by Takeshi Hosaka Architects; photo by Nacasa&Pertners Inc. / Koji Fujii

This eye-catching, organically-shaped restaurant overlooking Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, has been realised by the Yokohama-based architectural practice Takeshi Hosaka Architects in 2009. Named Hoto Fudo, the now-popular establishment has been named after the traditional local noodle dish called Hōtō, which the diners can savour while enjoying the spectacular views of the highest peak in Japan. Reminiscent of an oversized, irregular igloo, the building is supported by an innovative, 100mm-thick urethane and Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete structure called “Sandwich RC Shell” which has been developed in collaboration with the engineering specialists Arup due to a specific ‘regional issues’ such as diverse climate conditions which include heavy snow as well as the increased seismic activity of the region. (more…)