hardware store finds, craft, and yellow-and-black hazard stripes collide in hacienda okazaki

a bricolage of craft, souvenirs, and hardware-store finds

Developed during a residency at Metropolitan Fukujusou (AiR) in Kyoto, Hacienda Okazaki is a collection by Hoi Kaloi that examines contemporary Japanese material culture through the lens of reuse, vernacular design, and everyday objects. Produced in response to the Okazaki neighborhood, the project assembles found elements from different cultural and historical contexts, combining Mingei antiques and Shōwa-era souvenirs with components sourced from hardware and discount stores.

The collection is constructed as a series of bricolages in which disparate materials and objects are brought together through processes of reappropriation and recombination. Rather than emphasizing notions of artisanal perfection often associated with Japanese craftsmanship, the project considers the relationship between celebrated craft traditions and the ordinary systems, products, and infrastructures that exist alongside them.

all images by Nikos Alexopoulos

Hoi Kaloi challenges romanticized narratives of Japanese crafts

A central theme of the work by designer Hoi Kaloi is a critique of the romanticized image of the ‘shokunin,’ or master craftsman. Hacienda Okazaki proposes that the value of Japanese craftsmanship cannot be separated from the broader material culture of everyday life. In doing so, the collection shifts attention from idealized representations of Japan toward the visual complexity and informal character of its contemporary urban environment.

The work offers a wry look at the Mingei movement, contending that its founding principles of humility and anonymity are now contradicted by its status as museum treasure. Conversely, the anonymous design brilliance of 100-yen shops is presented as the movement’s true successor: accessible design celebrating ‘the beauty of everyday objects.’ As a visual pun, Japan’s omnipresent yellow-and-black hazard stripes serve as an homage to Manchester’s legendary Haçienda nightclub. Inspired by the work of Ben Kelly and Peter Saville, Hacienda Okazaki celebrates aesthetic irreverence through reuse and reappropriation.

an antique religious inscription on a piece of bamboo, turned into a candle holder, era unknown

the back side of the candle holder features an original, engraved religious inscription

materials used for the candle holder were bamboo, polyurethane foam, woven rubber bands, vinyl stickers, PVC lace, steel fittings, enamel, and a beeswax candle

an original Mingei wooden handle turned into a portable LED lamp

for the portable lamp, the materials included wood, polyurethane foam, agave fiber, cable ties, cotton rope, a portable LED strip light, PVC lace, and vinyl stickers

a confectionary bowl (Kashiki) from the Shōwa era was elevated by adding foldable steel legs

the ‘Kashiki’ bowl combines materials such as wood, lacquer, polyurethane foam, steel, PVC lace, and woven rubber bands

a lacquered display board (Shikiita Kadai) elevated as a side table, Shōwa era

a customised decorative wall plaque from the Shōwa era

a detail of the wall plaque, featuring materials such as wood, polyurethane foam, PVC lace, woven rubber bands, vinyl stickers, agave fiber, a reflective disc, cotton rope, and cable ties

an oversized Matcha Whisk (Chasen) from the Shōwa era utilizes bamboo, polyurethane foam, silk thread, woven rubber band, vinyl stickers

project info:

name: Hacienda Okazaki
designer: Hoi Kaloi | @hoi.kaloi

materials: bamboo, polyurethane foam, woven rubber band, vinyl sticker, PVC lace, steel fittings, enamel, beeswax candle

photographer: Nikos Alexopoulos | @nikosalexopoulos_ph

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom