In Hida Takayama, a mountain city long known as a "village of craftsmen" where forestry and construction thrive, comes a Danish furniture manufacturer originating in Japan, where the skilled techniques of Japanese craftsmen are brought together to create beautiful and enriching products, each piece bearing the "made in Japan" stamp.Kitani」。
Fifty-five years ago, in 1967, Kitani Co., Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of Nabeshima Jinzaburo Shoten Co., Ltd. While handling Japanese tea, kerosene, LP gas, and insurance, it began handling chemical products such as furniture materials and packaging materials as a new business. In 1983, it started manufacturing its own chairs, and the third-generation president, Kiyofumi Tanaka, formed the "Furniture Development Committee Moochin Club," which began producing sofas, chairs, and ceramics. In 1990, it became independent from the Nabeshima Group, with Kiyofumi Tanaka becoming the representative director and president, and took its first steps as a full-fledged furniture manufacturer, participating in the Hida furniture festival, "Wood Festival." Unlike the modern showrooms of other manufacturers, Kitani will hold solo exhibitions at "Noraku," a gallery utilizing a renovated old house. They will also revive the "T's" sofa designed by Takashi Okamura, a promising furniture designer residing in Denmark, and release the Italian-designed molded chairs "Bonte Milan" and "Bonte Dora," establishing a distinctive "Kitani style" that sets them apart from other manufacturers. In 1994, Mr. Tanaka himself visited Sweden, Norway, and Finland to inspect the industry, which led him to seriously take on the challenge of producing Scandinavian furniture. In 1996, he signed a licensing agreement to reproduce furniture by Scandinavian designers Ib Kofod-Larsen, Jakob Kjær, and Finn Juhl. In 2007, the year of Kitani's 40th anniversary, the company changed the name of its sales division, "Flemingbits Japan Co., Ltd.," to "Kitani Japan Co., Ltd.," with Mr. Tanaka becoming chairman and the current president, Shougo Higashi, becoming representative director and president. Kitani grew into a company renowned worldwide.
In front of Kitani's showroom, this striking bronze statue immediately catches the eye. Named "Shukojin" (God of Craftsmanship), the bronze statue was created by Gifu Prefecture native sculptor Hiroo Amano and was erected in September 2008 as a symbol of all those who create things with their hands, just as hands are the most important tool for craftsmen. Because Shukojin's left and right hands overlap, it has two thumbs. Once a year, on the first day of the "Furniture Festival" held in Hida Takayama, Kitani holds a memorial service for Shukojin, pledging its spirit for new craftsmanship.
The center is connected to the brain, the fingertips reach towards the sky, the wrists form the face, and the central part representing the brain contains a temple, creating an overall image of a sacred realm. It is a very unique statue with a charming face, so please take your time to admire it before entering the museum!
Previously, photography was prohibited in the workshops, showrooms, and headquarters within the building. However, considering the recent spread of information through social media, we are now able to showcase areas where photography permission has been obtained!
To the right of the building are workshops where artisans are diligently working on their creations, while to the left is "Gruk," a Scandinavian interior shop and showroom, open from 10:00 to 18:00. The name "Gruk" is a portmanteau of "Grin" og "Suk," meaning "smile" and "sigh," devised by Danish artist Piet Hein. The name reflects the desire to create a showroom and shop that will make visitors smile and sigh.
The showroom sells furniture manufactured by Kitani, as well as repaired vintage furniture, original items to match the interior, and Scandinavian everyday goods and ceramics. The furniture is displayed spaciously, allowing you to touch masterpieces and experience the skilled craftsmanship of Japanese artisans!
On this day in Takayama, the sky was overcast with no clear skies, the temperature was below 10 degrees Celsius, and even though it was March, patches of snow were still visible, giving a chilly feeling. This shop is also a special retailer of products from a leading Danish ceramics manufacturer,ROYAL COPENHAGENLet's enjoy a warm cup of coffee from the Blue Fluted Plain coffee cup by the fireplace and warm ourselves up for a while♪
Hand-spun, hand-woven, and naturally dyed indigo carpetNIYA LOULANThey have also collaborated with [another company/brand], and the combination of their beautiful, tasteful indigo-dyed handwoven carpets and Scandinavian furniture is wonderful!
At the booth for the St. Lawrence sofa, which allows you to sit comfortably and gently envelop your body, and features a flexible yet rigid wooden frame structure made of solid hardwood, a monitor is set up showing a promotional video of the craftsmanship at Kitani's workshop. If you have some free time, please take a look!
We visited the Kantan-tei Museum, now closed, which houses a large collection of classic Scandinavian furniture known as the Kitani Collection. Our purpose this time was to see the Nils Vodder NV-No.53, a vintage Scandinavian piece designed by Finn Juhl, which is housed in this museum. We were already captivated by the photos that were sent to us beforehand, so we decided to make the trip. Let's go and see the real thing!
"Handan" is a Chinese historical anecdote that symbolizes the transience of rise and fall. Kitani incorporates this "attitude of pursuing the essence of things without being swayed by the times" into its product manufacturing.
"Finn Juhl, Nils Vodder, No. 53"
The NV-No.53 is a masterpiece on par with Finn Juhl's NV-No.45. Decorative grooves are carved into the arms extending from the rounded seat, and the sculptural work curves slightly upward towards the ends. The combination of warm brick-colored leather and fabric seat creates a gentle line that completely envelops the body when you sit down. And you'll be captivated by the beautiful form of the arms! Kitani, which acquired the reproduction license for Finn Juhl's No.53 (FJ-01) on October 4, 1996, is reproducing this masterpiece while unraveling its design, until the license period ends on October 3, 2021. Kitani also handles the repair of Scandinavian vintage furniture, but this time, we decided to inspect the condition before repair and enjoy the vintage texture as it is before requesting repairs!
I'll be visiting the second floor of the Handan Residence, where President Higashi will be giving me a tour and allowing me to leisurely view the Kitani Collection!
Among the array of masterpiece chairs, some have their upholstery exposed, allowing a view of the internal structure. While durable polyurethane foam is now used for cushioning, chairs from that era primarily used horsehair, resulting in cushioned and comfortable seats. I learned that Kitani has been disassembling, reassembling, and repairing these chairs, conducting extensive research and learning from the craftsmanship that went into creating each piece by hand, thus cherishing and passing on the wonderful spirit of handcrafted work. I am grateful to have been able to see so many wonderful exhibits that I could gaze at forever!
What you can see in the background isFinn Juhl House」。
Finn Juhl, the Danish designer known as the "sculptor of furniture," still enjoys a passionate following worldwide. An architect himself, he launched the "Finn Juhl House Project" to faithfully recreate his own Danish home, designed by him, to its original appearance. With the cooperation of the Vilhelm Hansen Foundation, the Danish Embassy, and others, the house was completed on January 30, 2012, the 100th anniversary of Finn Juhl's birth. Entry is permitted only on opening days, and the admission fee is 3,000 yen per person (donation). Advance reservations are required for entry. The house will be closed from December to March and will reopen next month in April, so please check the calendar on the official website and make a reservation before visiting!
In the garden where the Finn Juhl House stands, saplings grown from seeds of the famous "Garyu-zakura" cherry tree of Hida Ichinomiya have been planted, imbuing these young cherry trees, which have continued the cycle of life for over a thousand years, with Kitani's "dream." With lush green lawns and fresh greenery, it would be a wonderful place to visit during cherry blossom season!
Next, we head to the "Special Gallery" set up in front of the head office showroom!
The special gallery hosted the "Danish Furniture Exhibition - The Era of Hans J. Wegner -" from November 13th, 2021 (Saturday) to February 13th, 2022 (Sunday), where items were on display and for sale, so we were able to find out what had happened since then.
The exhibition features works from the golden age of furniture, a period when many distinctive designers, including Jacob Kjær (with whom Kitani has a licensing agreement), Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Hans J. Wegner, Borge Mogensen, and Niels Otto Moller, were active!
These chairs were designed by designers who were active during what is known as the golden age of Scandinavian furniture. While you can't truly appreciate a chair's comfort without sitting in it, the beauty of its form is so captivating that you can't help but admire it just by looking at it! (The chairs feature unique designs, curves that fit comfortably in your hands, and a gentle, supportive seating experience.)
Hans J. Wegner JH501 (PP501)
"The Chair"
This is an early model of the chair that Wegner himself called "the first chair that truly showcased my strengths," and which is affectionately known as "The Chair" worldwide as a symbol of respect for being "the chair of all chairs." Designed in 1949 for the Johannes Hansen workshop, it wasn't highly regarded at the time of its release due to its overly simple design. However, it's a well-known story that it gained worldwide attention 10 years later when JFK, who became President of the United States, used it during a televised debate with Richard Nixon. Even today, each chair is carefully and meticulously handcrafted by artisans at PP Mobler.
This chair utilizes a technique called "finger jointing," where the wood is processed with a jagged edge to increase the joint surface area, maintaining strength while also serving as a design accent through visible jointing. The design of this finger joint differs significantly between the early and later models. In the early model, the joint between the backrest and armrest parts did not look aesthetically pleasing, so the backrest was wrapped in rattan. This technique was also used in later works, making The Chair a chair that marked a major turning point in Wegner's career. The smooth and elegant curves of the wood combined with the rattan-covered seat convey Wegner's craftsmanship. Wegner's design policy is said to be, firstly, "comfort," secondly, "craftsmanship," and thirdly, "beauty of design." It is because of these policies that his works continue to have many fans around the world even after more than half a century. Our home also boasts the CH-24, Wegner's biggest bestseller and affectionately known as the "Y-chair." Its smooth, Y-shaped back design, which is said to be the origin of its nickname, supports our entryway.
Hans J. Wegner AP69 (JH69, PP19)
/Papa Bear Chair
I also love the "Papa Bear Chair." This lounge chair is characterized by its unique form, which resembles a large bear with its arms outstretched. It's affectionately known as the Papa Bear Chair because of its stable seating comfort, which feels like being gently embraced in a bear's belly, and its shape. It boasts the finest seating comfort among Wegner's works, and it is said that Wegner himself was very fond of it! This particular chair comes in a gray color that easily blends into any home, and the fabric of the back and seat are different, creating a lovely combination of solid and patterned fabrics. The combination of fabrics is very nice! There are various types of upholstery available, from leather to fabric, with variations in materials and colors, ranging from domestic to Danish-made, so choosing the fabric is one of the joys of choosing a chair!
"Arne Jacobsen / Fritz Hansen / Egg Chair"
Designed for the lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel, which was built by Arne Jacobsen, the "Egg Chair" is one of the most representative works of Scandinavian design. It gets its name from its silhouette, which resembles an egg when viewed from the side. Designed with its intended use in a lobby in mind, the high back creates a space that is isolated from others, while also providing comfort. The back reclines when you lean back, allowing you to relax comfortably!
"Finn Juhl France & Son No. 152-BWANA Lounge Chair"
”There are several theories about the origin of the name "BWANA Chair," including that it was inspired by the chair of the Bwana chief in Northern Rhodesia, Africa, and that "Bwana" means "master" or "husband" in Swahili, hence the name "master's chair." The design, which appears to float due to the black spacers at the joint of the seat, is a calculated beauty. The design with cushions that fit snugly against the arms is perfect for resting your arms, and the grips on the front legs have a shape that makes you want to hold them tight. This particular chair already seems to have found a new owner, as it was marked as Sold Out.
In 1994, former president Mr. Tanaka visited Scandinavia to inspect welfare furniture for the elderly. This led him to acquire over 1,000 used chairs, which he sent back to Japan as research materials. The knowledge, techniques, and passion for furniture making learned from this research have been passed down and now support Kitani's manufacturing. From Denmark to Japan, and carried on here at Kitani, Kitani boasts high-level traditional Japanese craftsmanship and has produced 33 masterpiece furniture items that are no longer manufactured in their home country.
The poster hanging on the wall depicts a scene from 1950 when eight furniture designers met at Den Permanente. In the center is Ib Kofod-Larsen, his gaze fixed on Finn Juhl, flanked by Hans J. Wegner, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, and Arne Jacobsen—a truly illustrious lineup!
As we listened directly from President Higashi about the history of Scandinavian furniture, the history of Kitani, and the behind-the-scenes stories related to them, the enjoyable time flew by in an instant. When we got excited talking about the vintage Finn Juhl pieces that we are currently examining, he offered to show us some precious full-scale drawings that are preserved as reference materials at Kitani!
The sketched drawing is a full-scale representation of Finn Juhl's NV-No. 45 from the side!
Based on these drawings, furniture master Niels Vodder began work, and through his sculptural handiwork, the chair that would later be described as "the chair with the most beautiful arms in the world" was born! I would love to have a vintage NV-No.45 in my own home someday. I hope that I will have the opportunity to acquire one someday.
The full-scale drawing bears Niels Vodder's signature, written 63 years ago (1959), and it's exciting to imagine the context of that era!
In addition to the full-scale drawings, there were also drawings of showrooms and other projects designed by the architect Finn Juhl, and I was able to see a great deal of truly valuable material!
Let's make our way through the snow-covered mountains to our head office showroom!
Our dog, Chocolat, who grew up in Shizuoka, had never seen snow before, and it was also her first time stepping into snow. When we let her down to the snowy hill to give her her first experience, she looked at us with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "Mom, what is this cold stuff!?", and couldn't walk, just freezing on the snow (lol).
Kitani's headquarters are surrounded by nature. There is still a thin layer of snow on the roof, and its ephemeral appearance is beautiful, but when I visited Hida Takayama in the summer before, the lush green trees and mountains were refreshing and very pleasant, so I can't help but look forward to spring.
Entrance to the head office showroom.
In the room directly opposite the entrance, you'll find reproductions of Jacob Kjær's Writing Desk and Princess Desk on display. Jacob Kjær's designs are rooted in traditional furniture styles, serving as a kind of textbook for woodworking, and his work continues to be passed down to this day.
The beautiful "Princess Desk" was originally called the "Writing Desk" when it was unveiled, but later became known as the "Princess Desk" after it was presented to the Queen of Denmark to commemorate her 18th birthday! The nostalgic accordion-style doors have a beautiful, gently curving design that makes them a striking feature. The wood species used for the parts are sapele and sakura, and even with the same design, the different finishes—from a glossy, heavy finish that gives a mirror-like feel to a more familiar finish that highlights the wood grain—showcase different expressions.
For this reproduction, Kitani received the drawings and other materials from Holger Nissen of the WØRTS workshop.
Head office showroom
The magnificent view from the deck overlooking the Alps is truly breathtaking. I fondly remember having a pleasant conversation with the late Chairman Tanaka on this deck a few years ago, while enjoying delicious coffee.
Ib Kofod-Larsen Kitani
IL-01 Elizabeth Chair / IL-02
Manufactured and unveiled by Christensen & Larsen in 1956, and purchased by Queen Elizabeth II two years later, this chair is affectionately known as the "Elizabeth Chair." Its delicate details, connecting the front legs through the elbows to the back legs, are captivating, and the unique design of the bucket-shaped cushion that firmly supports the body makes it one of Ib Kofod-Larsen's most accomplished designs, and it's one of my favorite chairs! If I were to own one, I think the Danish-made wool version in mustard yellow would be the cutest♪
I had a pleasant chat with President Higashi on the floor of the company's showroom.
While discussing the dizzying surge in prices for vintage Scandinavian furniture and the high demand for current products, they spoke about what Kitani's ideal approach to craftsmanship should be. They expressed their hope that the superior craftsmanship and elegant designs of the Scandinavian furniture they create will complement people's lifestyles and help them live beautiful and fulfilling lives.
I was personally given a tour by President Higashi, and I was able to spend a very meaningful time here at Kitani. Next spring, I will visit the French restaurant in Nagoya that I introduced.ReminiscenceWe've heard that some of this furniture will be added to the new store. We're also looking forward to the day we can visit!
Finn Juhl's No. 53. Its breathtakingly beautiful design exudes such presence that it captivates us. It is sure to capture the hearts of any guests who visit. In light of the current pandemic, we are aiming for a beautiful and fulfilling life spent with Scandinavian furniture. We are planning a gathering for Scandinavian furniture lovers in the near future, so please join us if you are interested!
Kitani Co., Ltd. Takayama Head Office Showroom
Location: 2115 Matsukura-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
TEL: 0577-32-3546
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (until 5:00 PM in winter) Open all year round (except New Year's holidays)
http://www.kitani-g.co.jp/
