Red Craft Collection Reworks Four Japanese Traditional Techniques
Kyoto-based designer Kenta Yoshizawa introduces Red Craft, transforming four heritage craft traditions into sculptural domestic objects in a vibrant red palette.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Kyoto designer Kenta Yoshizawa presents the Red Craft (Akai Kogei) collection in a vibrant red palette
- Explores four traditional Japanese crafts: bamboo fencing, kumihimo braided cord, washi paper, and urushi lacquer
- Transforms these heritage techniques into functional furniture, lighting, and storage objects for modern homes
- Collaborates with master craft specialists including Nagaoka Meichiku and Shoen Kumihimo
Kyoto-based designer Kenta Yoshizawa has unveiled Red Craft, also known as Akai Kogei, a collection that translates traditional Japanese craft techniques and raw materials into functional objects tailored for contemporary everyday living. Anchored by a striking and vibrant red color palette, the project investigates four distinct heritage craft traditions, breathing new life into historical techniques through modern domestic design.
The collection focuses specifically on four traditional practices: bamboo fencing, kumihimo braided cord, washi paper, and urushi lacquer. By channeling these historical methods, Yoshizawa has developed a series of household goods spanning furniture, lighting fixtures, and storage objects, successfully bridging the gap between historical Japanese craftsmanship and modern interior aesthetics.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Integrating traditional crafts like urushi lacquer and kumihimo braiding into contemporary furniture highlights a vital approach to preserving endangered artisan techniques in an era dominated by mass production. The unifying choice of a bold red color palette also acts as a bridge, making historical craft methods visually striking and relevant for minimalist or modern interior spaces.
The overarching concept examines how traditional materials and production methods can be seamlessly integrated into familiar domestic environments while preserving their core craft characteristics. Every piece in the collection deliberately combines practical everyday utility with visible references to its material origins and manufacturing process, establishing a tangible connection between historical Japanese techniques and contemporary object design.
Key contributors to the collection include specialized craftsmen and manufacturers such as Nagaoka Meichiku for the n shelf and Shoen Kumihimo for kumino. Photography for the project was documented by WACOH alongside Kenta Yoshizawa himself.
Source: designboom
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