kamaboco

The weight of time embedded in Oki stone, its architectural beauty, and its presence that brings a subtle sense of tension to a space.kamaboco is a piece of furniture that embodies both the raw power of natural materials and the structural beauty of architecture, while offering an experience akin to encountering a piece of architecture itself. Oki Gneiss, quarried in the Oki Islands of Shimane Prefecture, an archipelago known as an island where the gods reside.Formed 250 million years ago, when the Japanese archipelago was still part of a supercontinent, it is an exceptionally rare stone.Oki stone, carrying the memory of that immense span of time, is brought down to the everyday scale of a chair. Depending on the stone, its surface reveals tones ranging from deep black to blue-green, while polishing brings out white veining reminiscent of marble.Solid and weighty, yet somehow serene.It harmonizes effortlessly with both traditional Japanese interiors and contemporary hotel spaces. The inspiration for kamaboco comes from kamaboko, a traditional Japanese food.A remarkably simple combination of a semicircular form and a wooden board.A semicircular seat supported by a slab of stone.Just as the wooden board beneath kamaboko helps regulate moisture and preserve its freshness, the structural elements of this chair are given an architectural role.The joint that allows the chair to be assembled without screws or adhesives incorporates a traditional architectural technique known as “aikaki.” Each component is cut halfway through, interlocked with the other, and secured by the weight of the Oki stone seat itself.A defining characteristic of kamaboco is that it relies not on additional materials, but on the mass and structural integrity of the stone itself. No additional materials are needed for the mass of Japan from 250 million years ago.Oki stone carries the memory of the forces that shaped Japan.Oki Gneiss continues to beat with a powerful pulse even today.