Failure Story 1

Several years ago, we produced the original goods collaborating with some artists.

This mouse pad is made by Minoru ISHIHARA who does Dyeing Art. The surface is made of fiberglass and non-slip mat on the other side.

The technique of the pattern is Marbling, which is what he is good at. Usually, Marbling is done with papers as you know, but Mr. Ishihara found the way to marble with fiberglass.

I like this unique and shiny surface of it. And this non-smooth surface is good for both wheel and optical mouse, so I thought this is beautiful and still functional.

But, the fiberglass would eventually be rubbed and start to become threadbare, and give your hand a tingling discomfort.

It is okay to use it as a mat, but we found out this is not good for mouse pads.

I paused to realize how difficult Product Developing is. I learned it, again.

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My favorite pieces 3

This beautiful piece is a cloisonné Obidome made by Hiroki IWATA.  The title is “Aqueous Surface”.  Obidome is a small decorative accessory that is fastened onto obijime, which is a string that is tied around the obi sash. 

I introduced his works for the first time in the exhibition, “One hundred ObidomeⅢ” in Kyoto 2008.  I had known him for years for his wonderful works.  He was one of my favorite artists.  I asked him many times to join our exhibition and finally agreed to do. Mr. Iwata made 6 wonderful pieces for us.  Those pieces are titled “Rain”, “Snow”, “Moonlit Night”, “Misty Rain”, “Sunshine” and “Aqueous Surface”, his way to expression of nature beauty.

This piece is 3.5cm (H) x 6.0cm (W).  It may look heavier than it is at first sight, but not really.  There is a little ingenuity in the clasp on the back.  So this piece is both visually nice-looking and functionally satisfying.

It has always been a challenge for me to create works with visually nice-looking and functionally satisfying.  Now I am engaged in making buttons, and the same here.

Obidome "Aqueous Surface"

Hiroki IWATA

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My favorite pieces 2

I have been collecting incense containers for years.  This is one of my favorite pieces made by Mr. Kakinuma who makes Urushi-lacquered buttons for us.  This beautiful tiny piece is called “Akebono” which means dawn.

His Urushi-lacquer buttons we introduce in this website are all solid Urushi-lacquered ones, but this piece is a wood carving covered with Urushi-lacquer.

It is often said that Urushi-lacquered pieces, the more you use, the more it gets beautiful by rubbed and polished by your hands.

This incense container which fits in the palm of my hand has acquired a beautiful patina on its surface while I used it for years.

The inside of this piece, Nashiji-pattern is used.  Nashiji is often used for Makie which is one of the traditional Japanese decoration techniques for lacquer wares. How gorgeous!

As you see, it is quite simple piece, but when you open it, you will be surprised with the gorgeous pattern inside.

By the way, I found a pair of Nahiji cuff buttons on the internet. It was quite impressive. We are planning to make our original Nashiji buttons in the near future.

http://buttonhouse.jp