A new design brand that produces timeless furniture and home accessories inspired by Japanese craftsmanship.
Tokyo-based design brand Koyori aims to introduce the distinct Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship traditions to the world. The company collaborates with international, award-winning designers to create timeless furniture and products that are simple and full of character but celebrate Japan. Indeed, even the name Koyori, which means “twisted paper cords”, refers to Japanese traditions. More specifically, to Mizuhiki, the decorative paper strings used to wrap gifts on ceremonial occasions. Working with local manufacturers and skilled craftspeople, the company pays homage to the perfectionism and commitment of artisans to produce one of a kind, heirloom-quality furniture and home accessories. Koyori puts design at the heart of its mission. Award-winning designer Jasper Morrison created the company’s brand identity, along with Swiss graphic designer Sebastian Fehr.
Five creative chair designs.
For its first collection, Koyori introduces five chairs designed by Paris-based brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi. The French designers aimed to create something distinctive but also highlight the technical expertise of the Japanese manufacturers. “We wanted the project to be a collective intelligence, working together with manufacturers to make the most of their skills. We tried to translate the essence of working with masters of wood into the design,” says Ronan Bouroullec.
The Bouroullec brothers designed the Kawara Armchair, Musubi Armchair and Shaku Chair. While the Kawara Armchair features a box-like design that embraces the user, the Musubi Armchair highlights the beauty of individually sculpted and bent parts of solid wood. A more unusual design, the Shaku Chair looks ancient and modern at the same time. It features a high backrest that seems to “melt” into the seat.
GamFratesi created the Miau Armchair and Edaha Chair as a timeless reinterpretation of Danish design and woodworking traditions. Miau has a feline motif and features a curved backrest and armrests made of a single piece of bent wood. For the Edaha Chair, the design duo looked to nature for inspiration. This chair has an organic silhouette reminiscent of a leaf on a branch. Koyori will present all five chairs and armchairs at the art and design museum Triennale Milano, during Salone del Mobile, between June 3-12 2022. Photography© Hiroshi Iwasaki.
