Japanese Object Makers

montez

Tokujin Yoshioka

Credentials: Kuwasawa Design School, Tokyo (1986)
From: Saga Prefecture, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Lighting, Industrial Design

Tokujin Yoshioka Design: https://www.tokujin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokujin_yoshioka/
X: https://twitter.com/tokujinyoshioka

Honey-pop

Honey-pop chair (2001) by Tokujin Yoshioka, pleated paper that expands into a self-supporting seat

PANE Chair

PANE chair (2006) by Tokujin Yoshioka

montez

Toshiyuki Kita

Credentials: Naniwa Junior College (now Osaka University of Arts Junior College), Industrial Design (1962)
From: Osaka, Japan
Based: Osaka, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

Website: https://www.toshiyukikita.com

Wink

Wink chair (1980) for Cassina, designed by Toshiyuki Kita — in the permanent collection of MoMA

Dodo

Dodo chaise (1998), designed by Toshiyuki Kita

montez

Oki Sato

Credentials: MA Architecture, Waseda University (2002)
From: Toronto, Canada
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

nendo: https://www.nendo.jp/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nendo_official/

Hanabi

Hanabi lamp (2006) by Oki Sato for nendo, first shown at Salone del Mobile Milano

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Cauldron

Tokyo 2020 Olympic cauldron, designed by Oki Sato / nendo

montez

Shigeru Ban

Credentials: Southern California Institute of Architecture; Cooper Union
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Shigeru Ban Architects: https://shigerubanarchitects.com

Cardboard Cathedral

Cardboard Cathedral (2013), Christchurch, New Zealand, designed by Shigeru Ban using paper-tube structural columns

Centre Pompidou-Metz

Centre Pompidou-Metz (2010), designed by Shigeru Ban with Jean de Gastines

montez

Kengo Kuma

Credentials: Ph.D. Architecture, Keio University (2006)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture

Kengo Kuma & Associates: https://kkaa.co.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kkaa_official

Japan National Stadium

Japan National Stadium (2019), Tokyo, built for the 2020 Olympics, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates with Taisei/Azusa Sekkei

V&A Dundee

V&A Dundee (2018), Scotland's first design museum, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates

montez

Fumie Shibata

Credentials: Professor, Tama Art University
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

Design Studio S: https://design-ss.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fumie.design/

BONBORI

BONBORI glass lighting series for BROKIS, designed by Fumie Shibata, EDIDA 2021 lighting award winner

vertebra03

vertebra03 office chair for ITOKI, designed by Fumie Shibata

montez

Jin Kuramoto

Credentials: Kanazawa College of Art (1999)
From: Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO: https://www.jinkuramoto.com

FOUR chair

FOUR chair for ACTUS, CondeHouse, and KOKUYO (2022), designed by Jin Kuramoto

Pleats

Pleats tray for Alessi (2025), designed by Jin Kuramoto

montez

Nao Tamura

Credentials: Parsons School of Design
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: New York, United States
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

Website: https://naotamura.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nownao/

TIKI

TIKI portable lamp for Established & Sons (2025), designed by Nao Tamura

ORIGATA

ORIGATA bench for Porro (2024), designed by Nao Tamura

montez

Toshiya Hayashi

Credentials: Hitotsubashi University
From: Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

we+: https://weplus.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toshiya__hayashi/

Unseen Objects / Overflow

Unseen Objects / Overflow, we+ x Heiwa Gokin, Milan Design Week 2026; photo: Daisuke Yoshio

In-Between Matter

In-Between Matter, we+ x Shimadzu, Milan Design Week 2026; photo: Masaki Ogawa

montez

Kinya Tagawa

Credentials: University of Tokyo (Engineering), Royal College of Art (MA)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Hardware, Industrial Design

Website: https://www.takram.com/people/kinya-tagawa
Takram: https://takram.com
X: https://x.com/_tagawa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinya.tagawa
Medium: https://medium.com/@Kinya_Tagawa

Tagtype Garage Kit

Japanese input device with ten buttons arranged in two rows, designed for intuitive character selection

TAMRON New SP Series

Camera lens with organic curves and tactile finish, showcasing the Human Touch design concept

montez

Shin Azumi

Credentials: Kyoto City University of Arts (1989); M.A. Industrial Design, Royal College of Art (1994)
From: Kobe, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

Website: https://www.lemnos.jp/en/designers/shin-azumi-2/
A STUDIO DESIGN Shin Azumi: https://www.astudio.biz/

Quaint

Quaint brass wall clock designed by Shin Azumi for Lemnos

Orb

Orb brass wall clock designed by Shin Azumi for Lemnos

Edge Clock

Edge Clock aluminum wall clock designed by AZUMI for Lemnos

montez

Takahiro Yagi

Credentials: Kyoto Sangyo University, Faculty of Foreign Studies
From: Kyoto, Japan
Based: Kyoto, Japan
Discipline: Hardware, Industrial Design

Kaikado: https://www.kaikado.jp/
GO ON: https://www.go-on-project.com/member/takahiro_yagi/
Kaikado Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaikadoteacaddy/

Kyo-Zutsu Wireless Speaker

Hand holding the open lid of a brass Kaikado tea caddy speaker, developed with Panasonic

Handmade Tea Caddies

Takahiro Yagi crafting traditional copper and metal tea caddies in his Kyoto workshop, demonstrating precision hand-finishing techniques

montez

Koichi Futatsumata

Credentials: Representative Director, CASE-REAL and KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO
Based: Fukuoka and Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Lighting

Website: http://www.futatsumata.com/en/biography/koichi-futatsumata/
KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO: http://www.futatsumata.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koichi_futatsumata/
CASE-REAL: http://www.casereal.com/en/

SAND

SAND chair by Koichi Futatsumata for Tendo Mokko

KIULU BENCH

KIULU BENCH by Koichi Futatsumata for Artek

Untitled

Untitled bracket light by Koichi Futatsumata for Lighting Sou

montez

Ryosuke Fukusada

Credentials: Kanazawa College of Art and Design; Domus Academy Milan
From: Osaka, Japan
Based: Kyoto, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Lighting

Website: https://ryosukefukusada.com/
FUKUSADA STUDIO: https://ryosukefukusada.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryosukefukusada/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fukusadastudio/

RELIEF

Ceramic wall clock with relief-textured surface for Lemnos

BRIM PENDANT

Pressed glass pendant light with vertical texture for HAY

Alysoid

Sculptural pendant light in anthracite and nickel finish for Axolight

montez

Ichiro Iwasaki

Credentials: Sony Design Center early career, studied in Milan, lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts and Tama Art University
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

Website: https://www.iwasaki-design-studio.net
Iwasaki Design Studio: https://www.iwasaki-design-studio.net
Vibia: https://vibia.com/us/usa/designers/ichiro-iwasaki
Arper: https://www.arper.com/us_EN/designers/ichiro-iwasaki.html

Pin

Vibia Pin floor lamp with adjustable shade and slender stem

Kiik

Arper Kiik modular seating system in public space configuration

Flat

Vibia Flat ceiling lamp with flat metal disk reflector

montez

Keiji Ashizawa

Credentials: Yokohama University School of Architecture
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Keiji Ashizawa Design: https://keijidesign.com/
Ishinomaki Laboratory: https://ishinomaki-lab.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keijiashizawadesign/

Raft Sofa

Raft Sofa by Keiji Ashizawa, Ariake Collection

Sori Chair

Sori Chair by Keiji Ashizawa, Ariake Collection

Ishinomaki Stool

Ishinomaki Stool by Keiji Ashizawa, Ishinomaki Laboratory

montez

Mikiya Kobayashi

Credentials: Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

Website: https://www.mikiyakobayashi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikiyakobayashi/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikiyaKobayashiInc

YAMANAMI YC1

Wooden chair with rope-woven backrest and leather trim designed for TAKUMI KOHGEI

NAGI Furniture Collection

Soft rounded plywood chair from FUJI FURNITURE collection

HARU Collection

Wooden furniture pieces by KARIMOKU emphasizing minimal presence in living spaces

montez

Sosuke Nakabo

Credentials: Kyoto City University of Arts, Design Products; MA Royal College of Art, Design Products
From: Kyoto, Japan
Based: Kyoto, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

Website: https://sosukenakabo.com/
Sosuke Nakabo Design Office: https://sosukenakabo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosukenakabo/
E&Y: https://www.eandy.com/en/designers/sosuke_nakabo/

Moon Stool

Oak stool with minimal components, light and stable construction

Saga Benches

Wooden bench project from recent studio work

Kitchen Knives MUJI

Set of kitchen knives with refined handles and proportions

montez

Keita Suzuki

Credentials: Tama Art University Product Design (2006)
From: Aichi, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

Product Design Center: https://productdesigncenter.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keitasuzuki_pdc/

SOLO Portable Lamp (Yamagiwa)

SOLO portable lamp with angled shade casting focused downlight

SYNC Modular Furniture Collection (Cassina ixc.)

SYNC sofa and rattan partition system in office setting

Fujiyama Glass (Sugahara)

Fujiyama Glass beer glass showing Mount Fuji peak in foam

montez

Kota Nezu

Credentials: BE in Industrial Design, Chiba University; Toyota Motor Corporation; Professor, Design Research Institute, Chiba University
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Automotive Design, Toy Design, Hardware

Website: https://www.cn.chiba-u.jp/en/researcher/nezu_kota/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kotanezu/
znug design: https://www.znug.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kota.nezu

LOVOT

LOVOT styling design study and model

Tamiya Mini 4WD RAIKIRI

Tamiya Mini 4WD RAIKIRI model

zecOO

zecOO electric motorcycle photographed by Kazunobu Yamada