ABOUT
New faces of materials created by Japanese artisans
In Kyoto, there breathes a world of beauty and skill that has been passed down from time immemorial. Bamboo, both delicate and strong. Wood, with its variety of expressions coexisting. Ceramics, and their unique presence. Lacquer, elegant and artistic. Washi paper with its rich texture. Weavings and dyed fabrics, colorful, gorgeous. WAZAI is a collection of jewels, seeking new possibilities from these creations of natural materials and traditional techniques. As ethical building materials that fascinate, or as interior décor or art, replete with surprises and stimuli. We offer utterly unique spatial expressions that fuse a diverse range of colors, materials, and styles.
01
Aesthetics and experiences found nowhere else
WAZAI is noted for its high design sense and story potential.
A beautiful appearance woven from the cycle of tradition and revolution.
Order-made monodukuri (manufacturing) created by the hand of each artisan.
And the stories behind the materials.
For example, interior items such as lacquered walls or tables are done by the group of lacquerware artists who worked on restoring the Kinkaku-ji.
Travelers to Kyoto from Japan and abroad need only be told the story of traditional materials and artisans to create a unique sense of exclusiveness.
02
The sustainability of traditional crafts to the future
Bamboo, wood, washi paper, lacquer and other materials handled by WAZAI are almost all natural.
Natural materials, which have been beloved for millennia, have many merits, including regulating humidity. They have become vital parts of human life.
Today, when it seems as if they have become more and more removed from our lifestyles, their comfortable textures still remain unchanged, somehow nostalgic.
The very existence of the traditional crafts that have been passed down in this thousand-year capital is sustainable.
They could be said to be one of the Sustainable Development Goal initiatives, that of respect for the environment and passing down the techniques of craftsmen.
03
Planning and production, and even the design of special-order items
At WAZAI, we work with some of Kyoto's finest craftsmen to develop products such as building materials and interior items.
In addition to the usual product sales and semi-customization, we can also plan and create from scratch with architects, designers, and interior coordinators. Furthermore, through the fusion of diverse natural materials and techniques, we can fully deliver luxury spaces. Bringing together artisans and users of traditional crafts, we persist in showcasing the rich culture and resources that Kyoto offers to the world.
WORK FLOW
SHOWROOM
At our showroom in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, visitors can see a range of materials, building materials, products, and more. 208-2 Morinoki-cho Oike-dori Horikawa-iru Nakagyo-ku Kyoto 604-0053 Japan Google Map
This is a showroom and gallery that features the best of Japanese materials and techniques. Large-scale lighting made with materials and techniques of Japanese umbrella hang from the ceiling. The dynamic bamboo installation art covers the wall, while a range of woven and/or dyed textiles create a space called “Fabric Forest”.
