Saga, Japan
Ariake is a furniture brand founded by Legnatec and Hirata Chair, two factories from the furniture producing town of Morodomi in Saga prefecture, Japan. Named after the Ariake Sea in Southern Japan, Ariake means daybreak in Japanese. It symbolizes a new chapter for the two factories as they embark on a collaboration with international designers for the global market.
It is Ariake’s belief that strong working relationships are the foundation of good products. Furniture is made for social situations where people live, work and eat together. The creation of the Ariake brand and furniture designs were done over two intensive workshops in Morodomi where furniture designers, an art director, a photographer and craftsmen did the same – they lived, worked and ate together over. Despite language barriers, the designers and craftsmen generated a collective energy and mutual trust that helped define the soul of the brand. This resulted in a collection of furniture that utilizes the best of hand and machine, inspired by the spirituality of Japanese culture and urban living contexts.
Ariake present’s a 30-piece collection made from oak, ash, hinoki, cedar, leather, paper cord, cotton canvas, upholstery and unique finishes such as sumi and indigo dye. Each piece is crafted in Morodomi, with furniture designs by Anderssen & Voll, Gabriel Tan, Keiji Ashizawa, Norm Architects, Shin Azumi, Staffan Holm, Zoe Mowat, Studio MK27, branding by AnnerPerrin and photography by Sebastian Stadler
