Two sides of the same coin, which over time Toshiyuki Kita has been able to make communicate in an excellent way, integrating traditional arts into modern life and reinterpreting them by shaping them into simple forms that can be exploited in everyday life.

A long-standing commitment that represents his design philosophy

Kita's encounter with a washi artisan at the age of 26 marked a fundamental turning point in his career. Complicit in this was the attraction that Kita felt towards the invaluable and constant attention that manufacturers belonging to this category reserve for manual work: a productive dimension that communicates to the final consumer not only with materials and form, but, above all, with the soul and heart of those who have created each piece, for centuries now.

Since then, the designer has emphasized the unique beauty and durability of natural materials such as wood, grass and earth, creating products that incorporate the values ​​and qualities of each of these raw materials.

Used in an era when technology was not yet at the forefront, the materials chosen by the designer as a source of inspiration and work material have been perfected by craftsmen through centuries of testing and improvement, thus becoming an integral part of daily life.

The art of avoiding waste: much more than a contemporary trend

Kita particularly emphasizes the spirit of "mottainai," or the art of avoiding waste. Because Japan is an island, materials were not initially easily accessible, but people learned to use what they had with care and without waste.

Even when products wore out or broke, they were repaired, reused, and ultimately returned to nature. A philosophy of life that is reflected in Japanese craft traditions, such as Bizen-yaki from Okayama Prefecture, Odate bentwood from Akita Prefecture, Echizen and Mino Japanese paper, and Wajima lacquer from Ishikawa Prefecture, which have been passed down for over 1,000 years.

Yesterday as today, Kita believes that this is a winning approach, which should become the standard for production in its broadest sense.

It is not just about creating products, but the method with which companies respond to the life cycle of furniture (and not only) during the post-production phases. It is this approach that, according to the designer, would open a new frontier of business. Simply by studying materials, eliminating waste, creating long-lasting products and finally returning them to nature.

In the same way, consumers will have to embrace the idea of ​​using products with care and for a long time.

Kita's commitment shows that even in the future of production it is possible to base these principles on creating products. The design of the future will have to focus on sustainability, making the most of the potential of materials, eliminating waste and ensuring that products, once their life cycle is over, can return to nature.

And at the center of this cycle are consumers, who with their respectful and conscious attitude will be the key.