OGATA | Furniture by OGATA, Crafted by Young Master Kinichi Ogata

OGATA

Astonishingly Unique Ideas, Designs, and Japanese Craftsmanship

The Uniqueness of Furniture by Kinichi Ogata's "OGATA"

The "BOX STOOL" is a stool meticulously crafted to mimic cardboard entirely in leather. Those who see it for the first time question their preconceptions of seating, marvel at its intricate construction, and begin to contemplate the very meaning of sitting.──"OGATA," led by interior and spatial designer Kinichi Ogata, is based in Sendai and produces original furniture while also undertaking a wide range of store and residential space designs.

Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

Exploring "OGATA-ness" with Natural Materials: Wood, Iron, and Leather

In its original furniture, materials themselves become a crucial design element. This is evident in the "BEANSE CHAIR," which highlights the straight grain and growth rings of wood, the "MELT" series expressing the visual of wood dissolving, and the "WOODEN CUSHION" series, which ingeniously uses a sinking mechanism despite being made of wood. This is perhaps the hallmark of OGATA.

OGATA also handles store design and construction, responsible for the first shop and offices of "sosu MIHARAYASUHIRO," "idea by SOSU" in Jingumae, the jam specialty store "Romi-Unie Confiture" in Kamakura, "cocca" in Daikanyama, and numerous other projects in its home base of Sendai.

"BEANSE CHAIR"

"SOFT WOODEN CUSHION CHAIR"

Established in 1998, OGATA's brand concept is to "focus on the 'living' aspect of food, clothing, and shelter, aiming to create spaces that are cherished for a long time, including furniture, and to convey the warmth and intention of handmade craftsmanship." In today's saturated market of designs and products, the brand strives to create "furniture that awakens consciousness and objects that overturn conventional ideas."

Furthermore, the theme for 2012 was "Change." Amidst evolving lifestyles and environmental shifts like global warming, the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 brought about an even more profound transformation in consciousness. For OGATA, this promises to be a year of continued challenges in changing awareness, evolving concepts, and manufacturing.

"WOODEN CUSHION SOFA"

"BOX STOOL"

Ogata Co., Ltd.
A manufacturer that achieves unique product creation by handling both design and production in-house.
In 2008, OGATA made its debut at the French international trade fair "MAISON&OBJET" (M&O), exhibiting in the "now!" section. It was selected for the exhibition's "Trend" award in its first year. In 2009, both the representative work "BEANS CHAIRS" and the new "BOX STOOL" were selected for "Trend" at M&O. In 2009, they created the installation for the Ukrainian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale as "MIHARAYASUHIRO×OGATA." Exhibitions have also been held in Hong Kong and New York, garnering significant attention from international press. In 2012, OGATA is scheduled to exhibit at M&O "JETRO／J STYLE" and present new works.