The japanese way: MARUNI
IFJ|September - October 2020
‘The rich are different’; companies rich in design, certainly are. they invest their trust and resources into creating products imbued with the value that only great design can add. ifj does a deep dive into the path that makes these companies different. we start in the far east, with maruni, japan.
The japanese way: MARUNI

Growing up in Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, Takeo Yamanaka, was surrounded by the rich heritage of traditional, wood-based crafts. He was fascinated by the mysterious properties of wood and the way in which it had the magical capacity to assume any shape. The young Yamanaka went to university, where he specialized in mechanical engineering and became enthusiastic about applying the theory that he had studied, to wood as a material. Upon graduation, he formed the Yamanaka Research Institute with five other crafts specialists and later set up the precursor to Maruni Wood Industry, Showa Mageki Kojo (Showa Bentwood Factory), in 1928; focused to the technique of bentwood that was considered extremely difficult at the time.

The name of the company was changed to Maruni Wood Industry, Inc. in 1933, and with this came a new focus to the introduction of industrial methods to traditional Japanese artisan methods of furniture production, making Maruni a pioneer in the area. Continual R&D and learning saw the company developing their own machines and processes in the 1960s, finally producing high-class, classic Western-style furniture on a fully automated assembly line. The company achieved a production output of 2,500 items per month, something of a record at the time.

This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of IFJ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of IFJ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM IFJView All
Embroidering A Story Of Survival
IFJ

Embroidering A Story Of Survival

The artisans of Aham Bhumika have been busy even during the pandemic, working their magic on bags, sarees and cushion covers

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2020
SUITE DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE . . . .
IFJ

SUITE DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE . . . .

A luxury suite must combine luxury, functionality, beauty and have a little something extra to stand out

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2020
The japanese way: MARUNI
IFJ

The japanese way: MARUNI

‘The rich are different’; companies rich in design, certainly are. they invest their trust and resources into creating products imbued with the value that only great design can add. ifj does a deep dive into the path that makes these companies different. we start in the far east, with maruni, japan.

time-read
7 mins  |
September - October 2020
MADE TOGETHER , APART . ‘connected' at the design museum, london
IFJ

MADE TOGETHER , APART . ‘connected' at the design museum, london

A material-driven project pushes the boundaries of what is possible with American hardwoods and explores how designers and craftspeople adapted their working practices during the lockdown.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2020
“DESTINY HAS TWO WAYS TO RUIN YOU: BY DENYING YOU WHAT YOU WANT , OR GIVING IT TO YOU! ”
IFJ

“DESTINY HAS TWO WAYS TO RUIN YOU: BY DENYING YOU WHAT YOU WANT , OR GIVING IT TO YOU! ”

IFJ shares the views of thinking people, throwing them open for discussion, dissection, and analysis. in short, for you to think about and send in your own thoughts and responses. in this conversation, we share Amarnath's thoughts

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2020
SITTING PRETTY
IFJ

SITTING PRETTY

The recent pandemic has seen consumers invest more in their homes, creating bespoke and elegant spaces that benefit the players in the luxury high end furniture segment

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2020
THE LOUNGE AT ESSEX FARMS NEW DELHI
IFJ

THE LOUNGE AT ESSEX FARMS NEW DELHI

Commission : design ethics architecture studio

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2020
AR. BRIJESH SHAIJAL
IFJ

AR. BRIJESH SHAIJAL

Architects do the talking, as they wander through the world, pointing to architectural and design features they have loved along the way

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2020
RESILIENCE IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LUXURY DESIGN
IFJ

RESILIENCE IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LUXURY DESIGN

Rachel johnson, senior vice president and studio director, wimberly interiors, on luxury hotel design

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2020
Abhishek and aashita chadha: THE KARIGHARS , BENGALURU
IFJ

Abhishek and aashita chadha: THE KARIGHARS , BENGALURU

Founder of the KhariGhars, what is most satisfying about his profession, and he is quick to tell you that it is the fact that most of his clients are his close friends.

time-read
7 mins  |
September - October 2020