A Beautiful Aesthetic in Collaboration with Japanese Tradition

USM's "USM Modular Furniture," created in Switzerland in the 1960s, is a custom-designed system of furniture. Its key features include the ability to combine modules in various sizes and a rich palette of colors.

The "USM Modular Furniture Showroom," the sole direct store in Japan, located in Tokyo's Marunouchi district, marks its fifth anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, the "USM Color Renaissance" anniversary program has been running since March. The program is curated by "Maruwakaya," a collective highly acclaimed for its ability to translate the beauty of Japanese traditional culture into contemporary products.

The sides feature the same checkered pattern as the front.

Matsutoku Glass "Ushari" Glassware

The cabinet, also featured as the main visual, is inspired by the color scheme of the sliding doors (fusuma) of the Shokintei teahouse at Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. In the background, a new, refreshing linen tapestry dyed with plant-based colors by "Someji Yoshioka" enhances the serene atmosphere.

Displayed alongside these pieces are the delicate "Ushari" glasses from "Matsutoku Glass." Each glass, with its 1mm thinness, is meticulously crafted by artisans, embodying a subtle beauty that perfectly captures the essence of a Japanese summer. The USM Modular Furniture Showroom uses these creations to present a cool and elegant summer interior.

Period: June– (Summer), September– (Autumn), December– (Winter) (scheduled)
Location: USM Modular Furniture Showroom
Marunouchi MY PLAZA 1F & 2F, 2-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00–19:00 (Weekends 11:00–19:00)
Closed on public holidays. Reservations required on Mondays only.
Tel. 03-5220-2221
http://www.usm.com

Maruwakaya
Maruwakaya Inc. curates contemporary Japanese culture. By translating universal "beauty" and the "moment" of the present into tangible objects and experiences, they create value relevant to modern times. Their collaborations span from traditional crafts, such as with "Kitajima Shibori Seisakusho," to cutting-edge industrial endeavors, engaging in top-tier Japanese craftsmanship. Notable projects include the "Kutani Ware Kintsugi Skull Candy Jar" (in the collection of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa), "Kutami Emons Ware × JAIME HAYON" (exhibited at Salone del Mobile), and the "PUMA AROUND THE BENTO BOX" initiative. In June 2014, they opened a new store, "NAKANIWA," in Paris, France.
www.maru-waka.com

Someji Yoshioka
A dyeing house in Kyoto with a history dating back to the late Edo period, now in its fifth generation. They extract beautiful colors from plants such as gromwell (murasaki), safflower (benibana), madder (akane), Japanese indigo (tadeai), and Dyer's weed (kariyasu), and meticulously dye natural materials like silk, linen, and cotton using traditional methods. Employing these time-honored techniques, they also dye artificial flowers for rituals at ancient temples and shrines, such as the Tōdai-ji Shuni-e ceremony. Supported by water drawn from 100 meters below ground and hands that carefully engage with nature, they repeat their quiet days, cherishing the past.
www.sachio-yoshioka.com

Matsutoku Glass
Matsutoku Glass was founded in 1922 by Shotaro Muramatsu as a factory for producing glass for light bulbs. Leveraging their expertise in creating thousands of types of glassware, they meticulously developed designs and conducted research, culminating in the creation of their ideal glass, "Ushari," in 1989. They continue to strive for even higher quality, earning acclaim for glasses that "enhance the enjoyment of beverages."
http://www.stglass.co.jp/