NAJIO - 001 - PEDESTAL TABLE
MATERIAL PLYWOOD, WASHI, SHELLAC VARNISH
DIMENSIONS 1500W 450D 400H
NAJIO SERIES
In a small town called Najio, nestled in the valleys of northern Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, there has been a continuous tradition of making Japanese paper since the Edo period. The distinctive feature of Najio Washi is the technique of mixing locally sourced clay with gampi fibers in the papermaking process. The inclusion of clay makes the paper resistant to stains and prevents discoloration when exposed to sunlight, making it highly valued for use in high-end fusuma (sliding door) panels and folding screens.
Even today, despite the reduced demand for washi, Tani Toku Paper Mill continues to produce this traditional paper using time-honored methods.
The NAJIO SERIES is a collection of furniture pieces that incorporate this durable Najio Washi as a surface material. The furniture is constructed in a box-like shape, with the paper adhered using starch glue and finished with shellac varnish. The varnishing process employs a technique known as French polish. As layers of thin shellac are applied, the fibers and varying shades of the clay in the paper become visible, similar to how paper appears translucent when wet.
NAJIO-001 - PEDESTAL TABLE is designed with a size that allows it to be used as a low table, a bench, or a pedestal for displaying objects or books. The paper used is recycled washi, which has been repulped with water and mixed with clay during the process. Additionally, the paper has been dyed black using persimmon tannin and iron mordant. The pieces of paper were torn by hand and applied to the furniture.
NAJIO SERIES
兵庫県西宮市北部の谷あいにある名塩という小さな街に、江戸時代から作り続けている和紙がある。
名塩和紙の特徴は原料に雁皮に名塩周辺で採取される泥土を混入して漉くという技法にある。泥土を含むことによりシミができにくく日の光が当たっても変色しない紙となり、高級な襖や屏風用の紙として重宝されてきた。
和紙の需要が減った現在でも、谷徳製紙所では昔ながらの製法で和紙を作り続けている。
NAJIO SERIESは、この丈夫な名塩和紙を表面に貼り込んだ家具シリーズだ。
箱状に家具を組み立て、和紙をでんぷん糊で貼り、シェラックニスを塗る。ニス塗りはフレンチポリッシュと呼ばれる技法を用いる。何層ものシェラックニスを薄く塗り重ねていくうちに紙に含まれる繊維や、泥土の濃淡が見えるようになる。紙が水にぬれて透ける要領に似ているのだと思う。
NAJIO-001-NAJIO - 001 - PEDESTAL TABLEは、ローテーブルに使ってもベンチに使ってもいいし、何かオブジェや書物を置いておく台座として使ってもいいようなサイズ感でデザインされている。使用した紙は和紙を水に溶かして漉き直した再生和紙で、漉き直す過程で泥を加えている。さらに柿渋と鉄媒染液で黒染めを施し、手でちぎりながら家具に貼り込んだ。