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September 13, 2022

With its spectacular showcase of carefully constructed woodware straight from the Land of the Rising Sun, INTO THE WOODS: Crafted from Yoshino Nature demonstrates the evolution of this classic natural material to appease the contemporary homeowner.

Revolving around the sustainable effort to preserve the Yoshino forests through stellar wood craftsmanship is none other than the third iteration of INTO THE WOODS, aptly titled ‘Crafted from Yoshino Nature’. Held over the course of six weeks, the exhibition transpired at Lumine Singapore with the participation of 14 esteemed woodcraft brands: AKARI YOSHINO, Daiwa Sangyo, En låda, Hirohashi, IZURU, Mokkou Mori, Morisho Meiboku, MURAO, Shimoichi Mokkosha ichi, Shiroi Inu, Skywood, studio Jig, Takano Kagu and Yoshitani Mokkosho. Conceived as the ideal marriage between ‘Nature and Human’, these delicately handcrafted yet solid works of art are designed to showcase the natural charm of the Yoshino Wood whilst encouraging consumers to rejoin the cycle of forging our own relationships with the earth. This concerted collaboration by the current generation of woodcrafters is not only aimed to immortalise the time-honoured traditions of their Japanese ancestors but to also tools & materials / wood resuscitate the industry with neoteric, viable ideas and methods in architecture, homeware, kitchenware and lifestyle. Just to offer a glimpse into the level of innovation at hand, some of the wood-based artistry displayed include armchairs, sideboard cabinets, chopping boards, bread boxes, cooking tongs, bath supplies, pendant lights and healing objects.

Sticking true to the Japanese philosophy preached regarding the harmonic union between both parties is the type of wood used as the star of the show. Constituting one of the globe’s oldest afforested plantations are the human-cultivated, over 500-year-old Yoshino forests flourishing in the mountains of central Nara Prefecture, Okuyamato. As a result of regular pruning at crucial intervals of growth, the resulting timber can be easily recognised by the appearance of fine grains, vibrant hues, less dense annual rings and next to no knots. These meticulous and tedious but essential age-old maintenance techniques serve to enhance the tough adaptability, 127 soft textures, uniformly straight trunks and antibacterial properties that are naturally evident in Yoshino Wood. Sub-varieties of this particular wood include cypress, cedar, cherry and horse chestnut, with the first couple of types specified often being the material of choice for these craftspeople. In fact, these particular varieties have gained strong international favour for their superior calibre. Long before the concept of sustainability surged to popularity, residents of the region have already implemented the practice of repurposing the unwanted offcuts generated during the manufacturing process into smaller handcrafted items. Case in point: the humble but top-selling pair of Ranchu chopsticks by Hirohashi. Including both double-ended and square-headed options, it is obvious that the mindset used to produce these utensils has not been limited to just creative transformation of product but factors in aesthetic diversification too.

Due to the sturdiness of the wood, it may not come as a surprise to find that furniture tends to be the predominantly common household item seen throughout this gallery of woodwork. However, the construction style and techniques utilised diversify between the brands – from the minimalist, Northern European-Japanese influenced dinner table chair by En låda to the bohemian, custom made rattan tropic chair by MURAO. One-of-a-kind pieces of Japanese craftsmanship are also found here with studio Jig’s unconventional curvature motif seen in the backrest of the armchairs crafted. This execution is possible due to the unique ‘free form lamination’ technique used to curve the wood freely. Similarly, the U Petal Backrest Curved Armchair by Mokkou Mori expresses movement in shape with the help of a kanna, Japanese plane or wood shaping tool. If you’re looking for a subtle taste of whimsy paired with an earthy colour scheme, look no further than the aforementioned.

In any case, each and every one of these pieces inject a sense of tradition while elevating the contemporary lifestyles of the occupants. Apart from fulfilling the need for sleek yet rustic aesthetics, the more imperative element of functionality is also delivered to guarantee comfort and value.

For more information please visit www.facebook.com/intothewoods.sg