DESIGN NAME: Kamiyama SHIZQ Project
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Wooden Tableware
INSPIRATION: Japanese cedar used to be the main building material in Japan. Many cedars were planted after World War II due to a national policy. However, their market value dropped when cheap imported trees arrived in Japan.
When plantations are left unmanaged, the evergreen cedars block the sunlight with their thick foliage. Abundant local vegetation has been lost, ultimately leading to hard ground with little water-holding ability.
Thus, the volume of river has decreased in Kamiyama. We must use cedars.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: How Can Design Help?
A designer who moved from the large city of Osaka to rural Kamiyama started the SHIZQ (“droplet”) project in 2013.
Initially, woodworking professionals had only negative things to say about cedar. “Consumers hate the two tone colors of growth rings.”
“Dishes and Cups cannot be made from soft cedar.”
But the team SHIZQ did not give up.
With breakthrough ideas and innovative creative design we found new value in cedar.We found craftspeople to work with us and make SHIZQ happen.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: One and only beauty.
A stack of annual rings is a design that only the nature that the mountain of the god of Japan raises.
Technology that lasts 1000 years.
A masterpiece that traditional craftsmen who hardly remained in Japan carefully finished one by one.
A miracle that the climate of Japan occurred.
Warm and soft touch and mouthfeel are comfortable, lightweight and excellent in keeping warmth retaining ability is Japanese cedar.
The annual rings piled up for years in the mountain of God are still alive, to meet someone.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in Kamiyama Town, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan in June 2013. and was exhibited at Milan Expo in September 2015.
The project held a solo exhibition in Amsterdam in february 2016.
The project received the Good Design Award and established own studio in Kamiyama cho and began breeding craftmen in october 2017.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Social Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The Myth of Kamiyama
A goddess is said to have descended upon Awa-no-kuni (today’s Tokushima) and ruled the Kamiyama area. SHIZQ products are handmade from cedars grown in the mountainous forests of Kamiyama which means “mountains of the gods.
Handmade, One by One
Our experienced craftsman developed specialized lathe
blades for SHIZQ products,leveraging 50 years of experience
to successfully work with cedar.
However, he is the only one in Tokushima who could work.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: surface finish: ceramic urethane Heat-resisting: 200℃
Each size and capacity etc...
Tumbler
Dimensions:H115mmxDiameter80mm/60mm
Capacity:230cc Weight:70g
Cup
Dimensions:H98mmxDiameter70mm/50mm
Capacity:120cc Weight:50g
Multi Bowl
Dimensions:H55mmxDiameter160mm/82mm
Weight:80g
Dessert cup
Dimensions:H60mmxDiameter123mm/60mm
Weight:45g
Plate S
Dimensions:H26mmxDiameter162mm
Weight:95g
All material is cedar.
Tsuru series surface finish is cera wood
about cera wood:It is a special urethane coating material containing ceramic. It is resistant to UV rays and it does not get dirty easily. Because of the high functioning coating material, it is safe and easy to clean. After meals, you just need to use soap and sponge, then just rinse it with water. Let it dry naturally or wipe with a dish cloth. (Cera Wood is a registered trade mark belonging to Sanyu Paint Co., Ltd )
Kame series surface finish is Lacquer-Wiping by 8times coats.
TAGS: ceder, wood, japan, sosial, craft, traditional, tableware, cup, dish,
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The project are not simply product design. They value local resources, improve the natural environment through manufacturing, and design local industries.
They will solve the problems of the natural environment, traditional craftsmanship, local industry, and eventually achieve regional revitalization.
CHALLENGE: The project challenged design and traditional crafts collaboration to create new value of local resources.
But what they are making of materials was very difficult to process. Even with traditional crafting techniques. Craftsmen started to develop cutting blades exclusively for cedars and succeeded in doing so.
Next, painting problems came up.
The products they made did not match any wood coatings. Therefore, They had to develop a new paint. As a result, we succeeded in developing paint containing ceramic.
In this way, the world's first product was born.
ADDED DATE: 2019-02-27 14:17:08
TEAM MEMBERS (6) : Art Director Kiyoharu Hirose, Photographer Makoto Maeda, Styling Hiroko Fujiwara, Graphic Design Yoko Nakabari, Graphic Design Mika Yamaguchi and Copyrighting Mika Imaeda
IMAGE CREDITS: Photographer Makoto Maeda, Styling Hiroko Fujiwara, Graphic Design Yoko Nakabari, Graphic Design Mika Yamaguchi, Copyrighting Mika Imaeda.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: SHIZQ Mt.Fuji pendant light is a registered brand of Kamiyama SHIZQ Project. Certifcate of trademark registraion. Registration number:6088033
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