Japanese Object Makers

montez

Motomi Kawakami

Credentials: 東京芸術大学 (1964); Master’s degree, 東京芸術大学 (1966); Worked under Angelo Mangiarotti; President, Japan Institute of Design Promotion; Chairman, Japan Design Committee; Chief Judge, Good Design Award; Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts, Kanazawa College of Art, Tama Art University, Kobe Design University
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

Website: https://www.motomi-kawakami.jp/
KAWAKAMI DESIGN ROOM Ltd.: https://www.kawakamidesignroom.com/

Cazetora chair

Motomi Kawakami Cazetora chair series

Cefiro

Motomi Kawakami Cefiro executive seating and desk series

Cradle

Motomi Kawakami Cradle swing chair

montez

Kaoru Mende

Credentials: Bachelor’s degree, Tokyo University of the Arts; Master’s degree, Tokyo University of the Arts; Visiting Professor, Musashino Art University
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Lighting

Website: https://www.lpa.co.jp/
Lighting Planners Associates Inc. (LPA): https://www.lighting.co.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaoru-mende-38848515

Search for Light at Milan Design Week 2021

Kaoru Mende / LPA Search for Light installation, Milan Design Week 2021

Tokyo Toilet Project, Hiroo Higashi Park

Kaoru Mende / LPA lighting for the Hiroo Higashi Park toilet, THE TOKYO TOILET, evening
Hiroo Higashi Park toilet LED screen at dusk

Tower of Wind Lighting Renewal

Kaoru Mende / LPA Tower of Wind lighting renewal, Yokohama Station West Exit

montez

Kazuyo Sejima

Credentials: Japan Women’s University (1979); Master’s degree, Japan Women’s University (1981); Apprenticed with Toyo Ito; Director of Architecture Sector, Venice Biennale; Professor, Yokohama National University Y-GSA; Professor, University of Applied Arts Vienna
From: Ibaraki, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Website: https://www.sanaa.net/
SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa): http://www.sanaa.co.jp/

Armless Chair for Maruni

SANAA Armless Chair for Maruni, six colors

Rolex Learning Center

SANAA Rolex Learning Center, EPFL Lausanne

Louvre-Lens

SANAA Louvre-Lens museum in Lens, France

montez

Shunji Yamanaka

Credentials: University of Tokyo (1982); Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo; Professor, Keio University, Graduate School of Media and Governance
From: Ehime, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Hardware

Website: https://shunjiyamanaka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yam_sketch
X: https://x.com/Yam_eye

CanguRo

Shunji Yamanaka CanguRo mobility robot, head and handlebar

ISSEY MIYAKE INSETTO

Shunji Yamanaka ISSEY MIYAKE INSETTO wristwatch

“Suica” IC Card Ticket Gate Prototype

Shunji Yamanaka Suica IC card ticket gate prototype

montez

Ryue Nishizawa

Credentials: Master’s degree, Yokohama National University (1990); Worked under Kazuyo Sejima; Professor, Yokohama Graduate School of Architecture, Yokohama National University (Y-GSA)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Office of Ryue Nishizawa: http://www.ryuenishizawa.com/

Teshima Art Museum

Ryue Nishizawa Teshima Art Museum, exterior

Roof & Mushrooms Pavilion

Ryue Nishizawa and nendo Roof & Mushrooms Pavilion, timber roof on a hillside

Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

Ryue Nishizawa Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, aerial view of the roof

montez

Sou Fujimoto

Credentials: University of Tokyo (1994); Master’s degree, École Spéciale d’Architecture (2021); Expo Site Design Producer, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan; Jury Chair, Holcim Foundation Awards 2025 (Asia Pacific)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Sou Fujimoto Architects: https://www.sou-fujimoto.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sou_fujimoto
X: https://x.com/soufujimoto

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013

Sou Fujimoto Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013, London

Bookchair

Sou Fujimoto Bookchair for Alias

Grand Ring

Sou Fujimoto Grand Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Sou Fujimoto Grand Ring, timber structure detail

montez

Daisuke Kitagawa

Credentials: Kanazawa College of Art (2005); Jury Member, Good Design Award
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

DESIGN FOR INDUSTRY INC.: https://www.designforindustry.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_kitagawa
X: https://x.com/d_kitagawa

Struct

Daisuke Kitagawa Struct armchair for Time & Style

Frond Desk Chair

Daisuke Kitagawa Frond Desk Chair

Floe

Daisuke Kitagawa Floe for Cappellini

montez

Junya Ishigami

Credentials: Master’s degree, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (2000); Worked under Kazuyo Sejima; Visiting Faculty, Harvard Graduate School of Design
From: Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Website: http://junya-ishigami.com/
junya.ishigami+associates (石上純也建築設計事務所): https://www.jnyi.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junya.ishigami_associates
X: https://x.com/confidencial_i

KAIT Workshop

Junya Ishigami KAIT Workshop, Kanagawa Institute of Technology

Serpentine Pavilion 2019

Junya Ishigami Serpentine Pavilion 2019, London

Freeing Architecture

Junya Ishigami Freeing Architecture exhibition, Fondation Cartier, Paris 2018

montez

Oji Masanori

Credentials: 広島工業大学 (1997)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

Oji & Design: https://o-ji.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oji_masanori
X: https://x.com/oji_masanori

Morinoha Bench

Oji Masanori Morinoha Bench for Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Oji Masanori Morinoha Benches on the shrine approach

Pendant Lamp Bell

Oji Masanori Pendant Lamp Bell for FUTAGAMI

Coffee Filter Stand

Oji Masanori Coffee Filter Stand in oak

montez

Shinobu Ito

Credentials: Tama Art University (1988); Master’s degree, Domus Academy; Project Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo; Visiting Professor, Tama Art University; Visiting Professor, Domus Academy; Board Member, Japan Fashion Color Association (JAFCA)
Based: Milan, Italy
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

Studio I.T.O. design (Setsu & Shinobu Ito): https://www.studioito.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/setsu_shinobu_ito
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinobu-ito-a048b540

Karin Armchair

Setsu & Shinobu Ito Karin Armchair for Desirée

Bina

Setsu & Shinobu Ito Bina dining chair for Poltrona Frau

Inori

Setsu & Shinobu Ito Inori glass bookcase for FIAM Italia

montez

Akihisa Hirata

Credentials: Bachelor’s degree, Kyoto University (1994); Master’s degree, Kyoto University (1997); Worked under Toyo Ito; Professor, Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering
From: Osaka, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office: https://www.akihisahirata.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architect.akihisa.hirata

Global Bowl

Akihisa Hirata Global Bowl pavilion in Tokyo
Akihisa Hirata Global Bowl, timber structure detail

Csh

Akihisa Hirata Csh chair
Akihisa Hirata Csh chair, second view

Flow_er

Akihisa Hirata Flow_er installation for Okamura
Akihisa Hirata Flow_er, acrylic and plant detail

montez

Kazuhiro Yamanaka

Credentials: MA, Royal College of Art (1995-1997); BA, Musashino Art University (1991-1995); Professor, Musashino Art University; Visiting Professor, China Academy of Art
Based: London, United Kingdom
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

kazuhiro yamanaka office: http://www.kazuhiroyamanaka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazuhiro_yamanaka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazuhiro-yamanaka-89337b169

Graffiti

Kazuhiro Yamanaka Graffiti for Pallucco

Rock Garden

Kazuhiro Yamanaka Rock Garden for Pallucco

Rainy Day

Kazuhiro Yamanaka Rainy Day for Pallucco

montez

Tomoki Doi

Credentials: 桑沢デザイン研究所 (Kuwasawa Design School)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

soell inc.: https://soell-inc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoki_doi
X: https://x.com/doi_soell

overlap

soell overlap sofa, two overlapping upholstered blocks

kasaneru

soell kasaneru stackable paper stools for Igarashi Seihako

rebbur

soell rebbur natural rubber material and planter for Kouhoku Rubber

montez

Yuri Suzuki

Credentials: BA, Nihon University; MA, Royal College of Art (2006-2008); Studied under Ron Arad; Partner, Pentagram; Designers in Residence, Design Museum, London; Visiting Professor, Nihon University; Member, New Radiophonic Workshop
Based: London, United Kingdom
Discipline: Industrial Design, Toy Design, Hardware

Yuri Suzuki Design Studio: https://yurisuzuki.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yurisuzukilondon
X: https://x.com/yurisuzuki

Sonic Playground

Yuri Suzuki Sonic Playground at the High Museum of Art
Yuri Suzuki Sonic Playground, colored horn sculptures

The Ambient Machine

Yuri Suzuki The Ambient Machine

OTOTNOMORI - Sound Forest

Yuri Suzuki OTOTNOMORI Sound Forest in Jing'an Sculpture Park

montez

Yasuyuki Kawanishi

Credentials: Master’s degree, Chiba University; Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture; Judge and Focus Issue Director, Good Design Award; Overseas Study Fellow (Agency for Cultural Affairs Program for Upcoming Artists), Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
From: Nara, Japan
Based: Nara, Japan
Discipline: Automotive Design

Website: https://ichibansen.co.jp
ICHIBANSEN / nextstations (株式会社イチバンセン一級建築士事務所): https://www.ichibansen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasuyuki_kawanishi
X: https://x.com/ICHIBANSEN_YK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasuyuki-kawanishi-ichibansen

YAKUMO Limited Express (JR West 273 Series)

ICHIBANSEN JR West 273 series Yakumo limited express, exterior rendering

Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka

ICHIBANSEN Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka train, front view

Kintetsu Commuter Train 8A Series

ICHIBANSEN Kintetsu 8A series commuter train, interior seating