April 2021– date –
-
Japanese Culture and Traditions
The Complex of the Frontier: How a Baseball Victory Changed the Soul of Hokkaido
TDoes a shared inferiority complex shape a regional soul? I argue that Hokkaido people—who often view the mainland as the 'better' Japan—have historically carried the Complex of the Frontier. I trace the moment this complex found catharsis: the 2004 high school baseball victory. This shift created a unique Hokkaido Humility—a grounded flexibility that defines our local spirit and is reflected in the open-mindedness of our furniture craftspeople. -
Marketing Tips
Can Little Lies Be Good for Us?
【A world without lies】 How many lies did you tell yesterday? It is said that we lie more than 200 times a day, no worries. "The innovation of lying" is the title of a comedy movie, not new but more than 10 years ago. The movie really w... -
Marketing Tips
The Uncanny Valley: Why “Almost Human” Creeps Us Out
If Totoro looked like a human, he’d be the star of a horror movie. This article explores the "Uncanny Valley"—the psychological dip where "almost human" becomes "terrifying." Learn why we fear zombies and how organic furniture design avoids the "creepy" factor to create true comfort. -
Japanese Culture and Traditions
The Zen Paradox: Why an Old Rock is Beautiful (and Why I Can’t Stylize Snacking)
What makes Sadō (tea ceremony) a profound ritual rather than just drinking tea? I argue that the merchant who formalized it was a genius to elevate a simple daily routine. This leads to the Zen Paradox: the spiritual core of mindfulness that balances objective observation (seeing a dirty rock as it is) with imaginative emptiness (seeing a whole garden in a single flower). We hope this Zen spirit will make you see expansive beauty in the simplicity of our furniture. -
Marketing Tips
The Simple Truth We Gained from Nirvana (Grunge Rock)
【Nirvana, a god or a devil】 I grew up with the songs of the Beatles because my mother is a big fan of them. As writing this, I just remember her face like a demon crawling out of hell when I shot and broke some of her LPs with my airso... -
Marketing Tips
How to Get Free from the Desire to Be Free
【Free from desire for possesions?】 A house surrounded by a white picket fence, a SUV, two kids, a dog, and a stable job. Many people once believed they were essential components of a dream life. Now, the times have changed, and the era... -
Japanese Culture and Traditions
The Beauty of Imperfection: Why the Japanese Cherish Falling Cherry Blossoms and Decaying Ruins
Why are Japanese people addicted to cherry blossoms even when the petals are falling? I explore the national aesthetic that finds beauty in the transient and imperfect, connecting it to the popularity of decaying ruins and our vulnerability to natural disasters. This philosophy—Wabi-Sabi—teaches us to cherish a single petal in a puddle over a perfect bloom. I conclude by explaining how this spirit is applied to our wooden furniture, where uneven character and aging are, in fact, the design. -
Japanese Culture and Traditions
The Backlash Wisdom: Why Ambiguity is the Japanese Architect of Harmony (and the Key to Durable Furniture)
Ambiguity is a necessary evil—a survival mechanism. We explore the theory that Japanese ambiguity is genetic (linked to S-alleles of the serotonin transporter). Discover the Backlash Wisdom: Ambiguity is not a failing, but a necessary cultural cushion—just like the intentional 'play' in a wooden furniture joint that keeps the whole structure from tearing itself apart.
1
