In memory of Professor Ryosaku Tateda of Kyoto Geometric Studio, who was Asakura Toru's mentor from his university days. Autumn 2025
- Author of this article：Reina Asakura
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Works and photographs exhibited at Professor Tateda Ryosaku's Kyoto Chair Exhibition held at Maronnier in 2018 .
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Memorial
Toru Asakura's mentor from his university days,
Right now, my heart is not keeping up,
I plan to add more tributes little by little.
Toru Asakura + Rena Autumn 2025
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When I started woodworking
"Sumi-kiri trays are a training ground for both design and handicraft."
That's what Professor Tateda taught me.
When I was 21 years old
Left: At age 40
Right: The year I turn 50 ← now
The wooden base of a large corner-cut tray has been completed.
Finish with wipe lacquer.
I wonder if it's getting better...
(I wanted Professor Tateda to see it when I made 2025/4/4 the other day.
The desired delivery date did not match our schedule, so the day came when we had to deliver to Tokyo.
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The paper with the name "Kojinmei" that I received from my teacher has turned brown and become brittle, but it is still in good condition.
I have it saved.
You can read 22 items on Professor Tateda's website .
"This craftsman's name was introduced to me by my teacher, Kuroda Kenkichi.
From time to time, I have returned to my roots and used them as the foundation for my work. (From Professor Ryosaku Tateda's website)
1. Work should be beautiful, but beauty should not be achieved by contriving.
Beauty is found in nature, and a good craftsman should desire nothing other than what nature desires.
1. Make it to be used
When we create something other than its intended purpose, we harm the world, harm beauty, and harm ourselves.
1. Don't make something without putting your heart into it
If evil thoughts intertwine,
1. Serve the act of creation
You should know that there is no other way to make the most of yourself.
1. Creating and living should have the same meaning.
We do not create because we live, but we live because we create.
1. Silence should be included in the work
Let your work be a guarantee of world peace.
1. We should love old works, but we should not die from them.
The love for old works is the purpose of creating new works
1. Work should be healthy
There is no power greater than that
... (to be continued)
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"Not 'troublesome,' but (in other words) 'it takes time and effort.'"
Words I learned from Professor Tateda.
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In 2009, I built my own studio and home on Sumiyama, a mountain next to Kasatori, where Tateda sensei's studio is located.
We opened in January 2010.
Wooden furniture and tableware to last a lifetime - From the workshops of 26 woodworkers in the Kansai region – January 18, 2012
Eiaki Nishikawa (Author) Publisher Seibundo Shinkosha
I was very happy to have my work published on adjacent pages in the same book as Professor Tateda's.
I also have fond memories of the publication commemorative exhibition held at Sakushinkan in Kobe.
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During a television interview 10 years ago, Professor Tateda kindly agreed to appear as my mentor.
"Most artists create what they want to create,
Asakura-kun makes what the client asks him to make."
He said,
A video featuring Professor Tateda,
Once I've calmed down a bit
I'll take another look at it.
...
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A couple of woodworkers who are dedicated to creating furniture that inspires users every day
Broadcast on March 14, 2015 |
"Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworking" Toru and Rena Asakura
Sumiyama, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a mountain village where charcoal burning has been popular since ancient times, as the name suggests. There used to be only charcoal huts here, but now it has become a craftsmanship village where many ceramic artists have set up workshops and many artisans live. Toru and Reina Asakura, the married couple behind Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworks, create original furniture in this mountain village. While enjoying the countryside life with their family, they spend their days busy making furniture. In this article, we introduce the appeal of the furniture created by the Asakura couple and the joys of country life.
The Asakura family's home in Sumiyama is a workshop and home that they built themselves a few years ago. It also doubles as a showroom, with the family's living space open to the public. Since they use the furniture they make themselves, they have the advantage of being able to show how it ages over time. They welcome visitors, take orders, make the furniture, and deliver it themselves.
Among their original furniture, the most popular is their signature piece, the O Chair. Made of solid wood with a heavy feel, it is a comfortable chair with a beautifully balanced arch, and is a piece that the Asakuras feel very attached to.
Toru is responsible for most of the design of Asakura Mokko's furniture. Although they are two people who make the pieces, they do not divide them into sections, but rather one person finishes each piece of furniture from start to finish. Both are furniture makers, and Toru says that even when making furniture with the same design, there is always some individuality to it. Rena introduced the production process of the Oh Chair and the appeal of the Oh Chair. Furthermore, she introduced the appeal of the To Chair, named after "Dad's chair," by following Toru's production process.
The program also introduced the Asakura family's rural life, showing how they enjoy their daily lives, including their connections with the local community, raising children, and interacting with their mentor who lives nearby , even while busy making furniture.
The Asakura couple, who are so popular that they are constantly receiving orders, received an order for a dining set last year. The set consisted of six Oh chairs, one Bambi chair, and a dining table, and they say it's rare to have the opportunity to coordinate everything so perfectly. For this reason, the couple was eager to try out new ideas and make this a culmination of their work. We followed them closely as they created the dining set, right up to the delivery. (Quoted from the LIFE Dream Shape website)
Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworking
Introduction: A husband and wife team of woodworkers create original furniture and accessories
Address: 23-3 Sumiyama Donomoto, Uji City, Kyoto City
Phone number & Fax: 0774-39-8095
*Advance reservations are required to visit the showroom. We will do our best to accommodate your desired date and time.
Note: 15 minutes by car from JR Nara Line "Rokujizo" station
Kyoto Geometric Workshop
Introduction: The workshop of Tateda Ryosaku, Toru Asakura's former university teacher
Address: Nishikasatori, Uji City, Kyoto City
A ramen shop with no name
Introduction: A ramen shop where Asakura designed drawers and chairs
Address: CEO Kiyamachi Building B1F, 534-31 Ebisucho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 11:30-15:00, 18:00-22:00
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until 9:00 PM
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Date Published: 2025/11/14
Date Modified: 2025/12/3
Author: Reina Asakura
Publisher: Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworking
Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Mokkou
Quality Furniture Design & Woodworks
