bouroullec brothers and japan brand: wajima collection

ronan bouroullec in the kirimoto studio in ishikawa prefecture, where they form wood pieces and apply the lacquer image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

the bouroullec brothers and japan brand have collaborated on the wajima collection, a group of products for the home which utilize the traditional japanese lacquer ware technique of wajima. this is the first time that a designer overseas has worked with the brand which practices japanese craft and aesthetics.

ronan bouroullec travelled to the noto peninsula in the hokuriku region of japan to start their journey working with japanese craftsmen. the result was a set of four designs, which reinterprets the wajima technique through the eyes of the french designer. all of the products contain geometric shapes and are inscribed with the ‘chinkin’ method. the simple and basic symbol ties all the pieces of the series together and evokes a sense of new possibilities and continuity for wajima, not only in japan but on a more global level.

inspecting pieces image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

the machines used in the studio image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

‘desk light’ image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

one of the results was this desk light which draws on the form of the tray, something we are accustomed to seeing. the design is made up from assembling three parts – the shard, arm and base. by combining traditional forms the aim was to design a functional lamp that had a japanese impression, but seen through new eyes.

image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

‘double lunch tray set’ image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

this product uses magnets to hold it closed like a shell and can open up into two trays. while travelling through japan, ronan bouroullec became aware of the possibility of using a tray as a dish. the lid is the same size as the body, so that two people can use the dishes / tray at once. potentially, the idea will also adopt the action of nesting like matryoshka dolls, where smaller trays can sit inside one another.

image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

taking a look at the wood core forms before they are lacquered image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

‘desk lightt’ image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

the largest piece of the series, this lamp uses LEDs to display the beauty of wajima lacquerware in clear focus. the piece maintains the functionality of a lamp while drawing attention to the actual lacquer itself. the lamp emits ambient qualities of light to its surrounding space.

the light can also act as a showcase for small, treasured objectsimage courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

preparing gold color for the ‘chinkin’ inscription which appears on all of the products image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

applying gold to a surface inscription image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

‘pocket mirror’ image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

for this design, the aim was to express the texture of the lacquer. the result is a small mirror which one holds in their hand to feel the texture of the surface – feeling the lacquer is just as important as seeing it. a piece of stainless steel is polished to a mirror finish and used as the reflective surface because it is light and affordable.

the mirror slides into the lacquered case image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers

polishing a surface image courtesy of tetsuya ito and the bouroullec brothers