INKSTONE

Serving Plates

PRODUCT DESIGN

The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 left a profound impact on the Tohoku Region, not only endangering lives and infrastructure but also placing centuries-old traditional crafts at risk of disappearing. One such craft was the suzuri ishi industry—artisans who carved ink stones used in the creation of traditional Japanese ink. Once a vital cultural practice, the suzuri craft had already been facing a decline due to the rise of modern alternatives. The disaster threatened to extinguish it entirely.

Moved by the strength and perseverance of these artisans, Hiroshi began a heartfelt collaboration with the Ogatsu Suzuri Association, setting out on a mission to breathe new life into this endangered craft. Together, we developed over 40 original products made from suzuri stone, seeking to bridge the gap between heritage and the demands of contemporary life. From practical objects to symbolic pieces, each design was an effort to reinterpret the material with fresh relevance, aiming to bring suzuri stone into homes, offices, and daily routines beyond its traditional use.

However, the path was not without obstacles. Limited production capabilities, diminishing consumer interest, and broader structural challenges within the traditional craft industry meant that many of these designs never reached the market. Despite these hurdles, the project served as a powerful reminder of design’s potential to preserve history—not as nostalgia, but as a living dialogue between the past and present.

This bittersweet journey underscored the fragile state of intangible cultural heritage and the urgency to act before it’s too late. It reinforced our belief that design is not only about creating objects, but also about nurturing connections: between generations, between material and meaning, and between tradition and transformation. Let us continue to honor these crafts—not just as artifacts of the past, but as vital threads in the fabric of our shared cultural identity.