REPORT: Maison & Objet 2025
Showcasing Designs for the European Market with Traditional Materials and Craftsmanship
Tomioka Shoten
Fusion of Traditional Craftsmanship and European Design: Kaba-zaiku (Wild Cherry Bark Work) Transformed into Wall Panels
Kaba-zaiku is a traditional Japanese craft that utilizes wild cherry bark. Tomioka Shoten, based in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, has successfully introduced this heritage technique to the European market. Once known primarily for letter boxes in the past and tea caddies today, the company now offers contemporary products that captivate international audiences.
Their “Sensible Wall Covering Panels” collection, designed by France-based designer Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski, has been fully launched in Europe. The concept is deceptively simple: cutting the material into various shapes and arranging them on a broad, flat surface. However, this approach offers a fresh and surprising perspective, even for Japanese audiences. The modern wall panels, which showcase the raw beauty and delicate textures of wild cherry bark, earned the prestigious “Wood Design Award” in 2024.
Tomioka Shoten has a strong track record in the global market. From 2012 to 2019, the company exhibited Kaba-zaiku trays and tea caddies at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Since 2020, they have regularly showcased their products at Maison & Objet, building relationships with renowned companies in France and the UK.
In Japan, their products are available in department stores and specialty shops. To create products tailored for overseas markets, the company collaborates with designers who understand Western tastes, such as Mr. Kozlowski. Notably, Mr. Shoji Ito, a designer who won a gold medal at the iF DESIGN AWARD in Germany, is also part of their creative team.
Koki Tomioka, president of Tomioka Shoten, emphasizes the importance of local insight when expanding internationally:
“When entering foreign markets, it is crucial to collaborate with people who understand the local culture.”
At this year’s Maison & Objet, Tomioka actively engaged with interior designers and end users, strengthening their presence in the European market.
The company is also committed to sustainability. The wild cherry bark used in their products is sourced from responsibly managed mountain forests. Every part of the harvested trees is utilized, ensuring minimal waste. The Sensible Wall Covering Panels even incorporate bark pieces that are unsuitable for their main product, tea caddies, making full use of the material.
(Ako Nagasue = Journalist)