what:
ONE&DOT
why:
Connect the technology of Sendai Tansu, to the future.
Connect the technology of Sendai Tansu, to the future.
仙台箪笥の技術を未来につなげるために。
Sendai Tansu is a traditional craft from Miyagi Prefecture, combined of multiple technologies. Sendai Tansu combines wood materials such as Japanese zelkova and chestnut, creating the "sashi mono" (a technique combining two boards to make the furniture). It also uses a traditional way of "painting" lacquer called Kijiro, as well as utilizing a particular "hand-embossed metal fittings" of luxurious iron covered with decorations. In the late Edo period, the Sendai Tansu was initially made for Samurais to store their swords, where it eventually became popular as a durable and long-lasting trousseau. However, the industry failed due to the decline in demand, as housing and lifestyles evolved. Currently remains only one craftsman who can handle all three of the mentioned techniques of "sashi-mono," traditional style of "painting," and the use of particular "metal fittings." While being driven into remote areas as an industry, we questioned whether the act of design could connect these traditional technologies to the future.
仙台箪笥は、ケヤキや栗をはじめとする木材を組み合わせて家具をつくる「指物」、木地呂塗りという手法による漆の「塗り」、そして、豪華な鉄の装飾が特徴的な「金具」という複合的な技術が融合した宮城県の伝統工芸品です。仙台箪笥は江戸時代末期に、武士が刀を入れるためにつくられ、やがて丈夫で長持ちする嫁入り道具として広く親しまれるようになりましたが、住居や生活スタイルの変化とともに需要が減り、産業は衰退していきました。いまや、「指物」「塗り」「金具」のすべての技術を一手に担える職人はひとりを残すのみとなり、産業として窮地に追い込まれている中、この伝統的な技術を未来につないでいくために、デザインにできることはないのでしょうか。
how:
A product factorizing the technology of traditional industries.
A product factorizing the technology of traditional industries.
伝統産業の技術を因数分解したプロダクト。
We produced paper-knife "ONE & DOT," as part of the Sendai City Earthquake Reconstruction Project. Through several communications with the craftsmen, we focused on engraving hand metal fittings, (a significant feature of Sendai Tansu), envisioning the development of this new product by bringing this technology to light. Employing as a motif the Japanese numerical "一" (one) and punctuation mark "、" (,) we designed two types of paper knives that are both beautiful and easy to use. "ONE & DOT" has aimed to open up a new market by factoring the technology of Sendai Tansu, as it has become an expensive product as well as difficult to fit into modern lifestyles, becoming a challenge to fit into modern lifestyles.
私たちは、仙台市の震災復興事業の一環として、ペーパーナイフ「ONE&DOT」をつくりました。職人とのやり取りを通して、仙台箪笥の大きな特徴である彫金手打金具に着目した私たちは、この技術を切り出して新たな商品を開発することを構想し、漢数字の「一」と、日本語の読点「、」をモチーフに、使いやすさと美しさを併せ持った大小2種のペーパーナイフをデザインしました。「ONE&DOT」は、現代の生活様式にフィットしにくい高価な商品となってしまっている仙台箪笥の技術を因数分解し、日用品としての用途を新たに見出すことで、新たな市場を切り開くことを目指したプロダクトです。
now:
A trial showing a path to survival in traditional industries
A trial showing a path to survival in traditional industries
伝統産業に生き残りの道を示すトライアルに
"ONE & DOT" was designed to connect traditional technologies and the industry of Sendai Tansu to the future. As a result, "ONE & DOT" received high acclaim both nationally and internationally, as well as from the market. Many traditional industries in Japan face critical situations, such as a decline in sales due to a lack of successors. However, by giving new values to high-level technologies and traditional industries and developing markets, we believe this project was a valuable experiment for the future of traditional Japanese industries.
仙台箪笥の伝統的な技術や産業を未来につなげるためにデザインした「ONE&DOT」は国内外から高い評価を受け、数千本単位の注文が入るなど市場からの反応も良好でした。国内の多くの伝統産業が売上の減少や後継者不足などの課題を抱え、危機的な状況に瀕している中で、伝統産業が持つ高い技術力に新たな価値を与え、市場の開拓に挑んだこのプロジェクトは、日本の伝統産業の未来を占う上で、価値あるトライアルだったのではないかと考えています。
what:
ONE&DOT
when:
2014
who:
Product Design
NOSIGNER (Eisuke Tachikawa)
Photo
NOSIGNER