From January 18th, 2025 (Saturday) to March 22nd, 2025 (Saturday), Karimoku Commons Tokyo will host “PROJECT HINOKI II,” an exhibition centered on Hinoki (Japanese cypress), the primary wood used by MAS, under the design direction of Wataru Kumano. This exhibition will take place in the gallery space on the first floor of Karimoku Commons Tokyo.

Previously, MAS showcased “MAS – PROJECT HINOKI -” during Milan Design Week in April 2024, emphasizing its innovative use of Japanese woods—particularly softwoods—in furniture design. The exhibition highlighted Hinoki’s historical and cultural significance in Japan while introducing contemporary furniture designs that harmonize with modern living. It also underscored MAS’s potential as a platform for leveraging domestic timber.

“PROJECT HINOKI II” aims to delve deeper into the past and future possibilities of Hinoki and expand its potential. In Space B of the gallery, MAS designer Ville Kokkonen will present his research on Hinoki, based on visits to major production areas throughout Japan. His exhibit will offer a comprehensive view of the current state of Hinoki, featuring tools used at logging sites, video footage, and other materials that bring the challenges and realities of Hinoki forestry to life. Meanwhile, in Space A, 9 architects, designers and artists will showcase works made from Hinoki under the curation of Wataru Kumano. These exhibits will explore innovative and artistic uses of Hinoki, providing fresh perspectives on its applications.

During the exhibition, various events will allow visitors to engage more deeply with Hinoki. Highlights include live demonstrations of Noh mask production and talk events with experts, offering unique insights into the cultural and practical aspects of this iconic wood. Additional activities will further enhance the experience, allowing visitors to explore Hinoki from diverse angles.
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how Hinoki has been utilized in the past and its potential for the future. It is an opportunity to uncover the enduring allure and possibilities of this remarkable material.

Exhibition Details
Dates: January 18th (Sat) – March 22nd (Sat), 2025
*Closed on Sundays
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Karimoku Commons Tokyo, 1st Floor Gallery Space
Admission: Free

Organized by: Karimoku Furniture
Planning and Curation: Wataru Kumano (Space A), Ville Kokkonen (Space B)
Exhibition Graphics: Yuri Uenishi
Participating Artists, Designers, and Architects: Jin Kuramoto, Go Koyama, Fumihiko Sano, Koichi Suzuno, Yuji Takahashi, Daniel Rybakken, Jo Nagasaka, Sae Honda + Woodwork Lab, Department of Industrial, Interior, and Craft Design, Musashino Art University, Shoji Morinaga, Ville Kokkonen
Sponsored by: KATSUNO WOOD Co.,Ltd.,
In Cooperation With: Kitazawa Woodcarving, PIIA association for the preservation of national temple and shrine roof construction techniques, inc., Hayami Forest, ICHI inc.