JC18 SEKISAKA [ lacquerware ] × Sam Hecht and Kim Colin (Industrial Facility)

R&D Tomoya Tabuchi

“STORE”

Products that can be applied with a freedom born through the transformation of Japan’s unique craftsmanship

Echizen lacquerware, a tradition said to have started roughly 1,500 years ago in the Kawada district of Sabae city, a prefecture of Fukui, has since evolved continuously through advancements in material and technique, to reflect the changing times. Now, the durability of so-called ‘plastic lacquerware’ – formed plastic, coated in black and red chemical paints and that are now mass produced, has met the growing demands of the hospitality industry. Today, laquerware is divided into the categories of traditional ‘wooden lacquerware’, and ‘plastic lacquerware’ which is for commercial use. Almost 80% of the ‘plastic lacquerware’ in Japan is produced in Sabae. The SEKISAKA Company, primarily a producer of ‘plastic lacquerware’ for schools, airlines, and hospitals, has embarked on new product development program in cooperation with Industrial Facility in the London led by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin. Recognizing the transformation of Japan’s unique traditional craftsmanship through changing social demands and industrial advancements, and realizing that the handwork of the master craftsman is still intrinsically reflected in the mechanized production process for commercial lacquerware, Hecht and Colin proposed the creation of products that encourage freedom of application while acknowledging the potential of craftsmanship that allows for that freedom.

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SEKISAKA

A venerable lacquerware maker, nestled at the foothills of Sabae, began producing wood lacquerware in 1701, SEKISAKA today primarily designs and produces ‘plastic lacquerware‘ used in schools, airlines, and hospitals, made from resin coated in urethane paints. The company also operates a select store called “ataW” that carries lacquerware, sundries, and apparel.

Sam Hecht & Kim Colin (Industrial Facility)

Founded in London in 2002, Industrial Facility is the design studio of Sam Hecht and Kim Colin. They have produced designs for such companies as Herman Milller, Mattiazzi, Emeco and Muji. Leaders in today’s world of industrial design, they uncover intrinsic solutions by confronting their task with great flexibility and humility.

Tomoya Tabuchi

Born in Tochigi in 1974. After graduating from Kuwasawa
Design Institute, he worked as an in-house designer for a
furniture company. In 2010, he founded [office for creation]
and began working as a freelance designer. Specializing in furniture design, he is also works as a graphic designer
and art director.

SEKISAKA
SEKISAKA
Sam Hecht & Kim Colin (Industrial Facility)
Sam Hecht & Kim Colin (Industrial Facility)
Tomoya Tabuchi
Tomoya Tabuchi