Living a Life True to Oneself, with Authentic Sensations
Terms like "slow life" and "LOHAS" have become commonplace, and many people now enjoy leisurely time in natural settings. While these movements are sometimes seen as an antithesis to capitalism, which promotes mass production and consumption, and to the rapidly accelerating information society, they are perhaps more accurately described as a straightforward desire to live a life true to oneself, with authentic sensations, and at a rhythm that suits one's own pace, unswayed by fleeting trends.

To meet these needs, the "ISETAN MITSUKOSHI DESIGN WEEK," now in its sixth year, is hosting an event themed "HAND MADE BY / FOR ME." The main event is "Fragments and Scraps MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen," held at The Stage, Main Building 1F, Isetan Shinjuku.




The Joy of Finding Your Own Unique Chair
Maruni Wood Industry, a furniture maker that has collaborated with product designer Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and others. The brand, which aims to fuse Japan's meticulous furniture craftsmanship with contemporary design, is releasing an original product for a limited time that focuses on previously overlooked aspects: the irregular forms of natural materials and the patina of products over time.

"Naturally, no two trees are alike, having grown richly with the blessings of nature. Just as we have moles or dimples on our faces, wood has knots and unique grain patterns. In the past, we prioritized production efficiency and material uniformity, often discarding wood with such individuality during the milling process. But perhaps wood with these unique characteristics holds the true essence of nature." With this philosophy, a limited version of the "HIROSHIMA" chair, designed by Naoto Fukasawa, has been created using wood with knots.

The seat fabric, designed by minä perhonen, is crafted to reveal threads of a different color woven within as the fabric is used and the threads gradually wear, allowing for an appreciation of its aging process. In addition to the Isetan original version, a patchwork version is available, created by Akira Minagawa using "scraps" – such as offcuts from the cutting process. Nine textiles have been carefully selected from the brand's Autumn/Winter collections from 2003 to 2014. Each chair, with its unique character, will undoubtedly evolve into a special piece that reveals its individual charm only to its owner, over time.

Fragments and Scraps
MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen
Period | Wednesday, October 23 - Tuesday, October 29
Venue | The Stage, Main Building 1F, Isetan Shinjuku
3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3352-1111 (General Inquiries)

HIROSHIMA Armchair (Upholstered) piece
Price | Beech: ¥93,450, Oak: ¥119,700, Walnut: ¥130,200

Maruni Wood Industry
http://www.maruni.com/jp/

NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN
http://www.naotofukasawa.com

minä perhonen
http://www.mina-perhonen.jp