Japanese crafstmanship (monozukuri)

Japan is an island nation surrounded by the sea. A host of historical legacies, from architecture to artefacts, have been left to be found in this land. In particular, the traditional culture and techniques of craftsmanship, monozukuri, handed down from person to person in the long history of Japan, continue to live in the hands of each artisan throughout the nation. Such craftsmanship dwells as the human nature and qualities of the Japanese. The spirit of continuing care, and detailed handiwork, has been put to good use in our daily lives even today.

Although many cultural traditions and rituals rooted in the community remain in rural areas, many valuable assets have been lost in the last few decades. However, in various parts of the nation, still possible to find places where traditions are carried on in obscurity. It is hardly possible to bring back the traditions and techniques once it is lost. However, it is possible to learn something new from the techniques preserved.

To continue those traditions and techniques, it is necessary to understand their essence and apply it to create articles and tools for modern life.

The articles produced using traditional techniques are durable and beautiful because, without such qualities, traditional methods could not have survived until now.
These techniques passed down to date are Japan’s greatest assets, and those techniques’ unique value enriches people’s lives worldwide.

Time & Style works with artisans and factories across Japan that value the Japanese monozukuri spirit to create delicate, high-quality products for modern life and deliver to people worldwide the beautiful value of articles produced by the hands of people.

Woodworking

In 2008, we established our factory, Time & Style Factory, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, to manufacture our furniture. Our furniture is produced in a place of severe cold that drops below negative 20 degrees in winter. Artisans in our factory produce furniture in an integrated process from material selection, assembly, and polishing to finishing. Much of the process is done by the hands of artisans. With minimal machine processing, they take the time to finish products by hand where needed without compromise. Careful handwork realizes delicate, high-quality products when finished. We think that production that values the Japanese monozukuri spirit delivers valuable products. In addition,
by going back to the traditional technique not done in Japanese furniture production in recent years, where the goal is efficiency, we take on the challenge of production with new designs and an innovative appearance. Along with acquiring the monozukuri technique handed down over a long history, it is necessary to look for new techniques. While studying Japan’s deep traditions and delicate aesthetic sense, we aim to make a factory where we continue to accept the challenge of developing new products and discovering new ground.

Sand casting

In Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, traditional crafts of ferrous casting are centered on the production of Buddhist altar articles. We produced table legs made of brass and copper by making use of Takaoka’s technique of sand molding. While this is the first attempt ever in Japan, we were able to use traditional craft technique to manufacture a beautiful table only possible in Japan. In Takaoka, we use the lost wax production method to produce brass leg parts for sofas and cabinets by using the casting technique to express the delicate details.

Chair

Each region had different strength and uniqueness for chair production. Movie 1-2 mins
The bentwood factory with the history over 100 years

The process by hand
Solid wood processed by hand, creating organic line and warmth of materials

 Oke
movie 1-2 mins
The history of tub and barrel in Japan by cedar wood

 Mortar
movie 1-2 mins
history of mortar and zelkova wood (Japanese origin tree)

 Joinery movie 1-2 mins

Precise work on soft wood
Tradition and history of Japanese lamps

Japanese traditional lamps – Andon – is produced by washi paper and soft cedar wood. The wood is very soft and not easy to process. The work of joinery requires the precise and delicate artisanal work. After the wood process, the washi paper is carefully placed to the cedar wood frame.

Lantern making

movie 1-2 mins

History of lantern
Tradition and process of lantern making

In Japan there are three famous lantern production areas, and we are working together with artisans from Gifu and Mito. The structure is shaped along with the mold by using strips in spiral manner. In the next step the artisan place each piece of paper and carefully cut the edge of overlap area of paper.

Porcelain

movie 1-2 mins

History of lantern
Tradition and process of lantern making

Ceramics

 Ceramics movie 1-2 mins History of ceramics

Lacquerware

 Lacquerware movie 1-2 mins
History of lacquerware