Studio Kuku Reveals its Wooden Heart
In Komoro, a village encircled by greenery, the Tani family designs furniture and wooden objects in keeping with the surrounding forest.

© 2009 Kyoko Tani
All around there are forests, hot springs, and temples. We are in the region of Nagano, at the foot of mount Asama, in the small town of Komoro. It is in this dream-like landscape that the husband-and-wife team, the Tanis, have established their design studio, Studio Kuku.
Keeping the spirit of wood alive
Ku refers to the spirit of the tree in the Nihon Shoki, a classical Japanese text published in 720. Kuku is thus a reference to the multitude of wood that is used by the artisans of Studio Kuku to create furniture, wooden tableware, and other accessories.
Imbued with the animist tradition specific to Shintoism, the couple explains that the spirit of the tree is transferred to the person who creates the object, and then on to the person who uses it. According to them, the new owners of their creations will therefore keep the spirit of wood alive in turn.
Studio Kuku’s creations can be found on their website, Instagram page, or in their studio.
Address: 4741 Amaike , Komoro City, Nagano 384-0021 Japan.

© 2018 Kyoko Tani

©2017 Kyoko Tani

© 2007 Kyoko Tani

© 2007 Kyoko Tani
TRENDING
-
Paris, Tokyo: Robert Compagnon
With his co-chef and talented wife, Jessica Yang, Robert Compagnon opened one of the top new restaurants in Paris: Le Rigmarole.
3:31 -
Recipe for Ichiraku Ramen from ‘Naruto’ by Danielle Baghernejad
Taken from the popular manga with the character of the same name who loves ramen, this dish is named after the hero's favourite restaurant.
-
Hot Springs Through the Lens of Mark Edward Harris
In 'The Way of the Japanese Bath', the American photographer compiles his images of 'onsen' captured in Japan since 1992.
-
'The Spirit of Pleasure', a Glimpse into Eroticism in Japan
From the cult of the samurai to that of geishas and the tightening of conventions, this essay traces the history of hedonism in Japan.
-
‘Abandoning a Cat’, a Tribute to a Father
In this short autobiographical text, Haruki Murakami shares details of the relationship he had with his father.