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The Journey of the Maerge Chair: Timeless Craftsmanship

KOMA, the renowned furniture workshop based in Musashimurayama, Japan, has recently introduced a remarkable piece—the Maerge Chair, specifically designed for the soon-to-open restaurant named maerge in Minami-Aoyama. This collaboration between KOMA and Chef Shibata took over a year and a half to perfect, involving countless iterations and meticulous attention to every design detail.

The Beginning of a New Creation

The journey began on September 28, 2023, when Chef Shibata visited KOMA's workshop for the first time. His vision was clear: he desired a chair that enhances the dining experience by allowing patrons to savor their meals in utmost comfort. KOMA's philosophy—furniture that lives with you—was the guiding principle throughout this collaborative process.

Prototyping the Perfect Seat

The initial prototype was developed while keeping in mind the restaurant's scale and the required leg design. Generally, comfort is achieved through cushioning, but KOMA's director, Shigeki Matsuoka, emphasized that the distinctiveness of a spoked chair comes from its transparency and lightweight appearance. Therefore, they aimed to create a structure devoid of cushions while still ensuring comfort.

Testing the prototype led to the discovery of two primary issues:
1. The armrests felt oppressive when seated.
2. The height of the crest was constrictive, making the overall experience less enjoyable.

Refining the Sitting Experience

Acknowledging the first prototype's challenges, KOMA quickly moved to a redesign phase. By subtly altering the curvature of the rear legs, they alleviated the pressure experienced by the user. The crest height was also modified downward, enhancing comfort when reclining. However, Matsuoka faced a dilemma:
Chef Shibata requested armrests that could fit under the dining table, but lowering them often compromised overall seating comfort.

The Impact of a Few Centimeters

To find an ideal solution, Matsuoka arranged for Chef Shibata to compare two variations of their cocoda chair: a standard model focused on comfort and a lower version designed for table compatibility. Despite the mere 20 mm difference in arm height, Chef Shibata was astonished by how much this small change affected comfort levels. He recounted his experiences across numerous restaurants worldwide, where he had only encountered chairs designed to fit underneath tables, mistaking them as the norm. Thus, Matsuoka concluded that the arms should be at their ideal height while shortening their depth to maintain functionality.

Attention to Aesthetic Detailing

With functionality established, the next objective was to achieve visual beauty. Chef Shibata envisioned the maerge as a restaurant of the highest pedigree. KOMA’s strength in artistic formation came into play, notably in the front leg design, ensuring it exuded elegance. Matsuoka opted for gentle curves rather than straight lines to avoid a rigid appearance, enhancing the chair's aesthetic fluidity.

Through this repeated dialogue and iterative design process, the Maerge Chair was born—not just as a piece of seating furniture but as an integral component of the dining experience, supporting the connection between cuisine, atmosphere, and people.

Discover KOMA’s Design Philosophy

As KOMA’s creations reflect a commitment to excellence, a special exhibition tracing the development of the Maerge Chair runs at KOMA's Aoyama branch until September 9, 2025. This event showcases the dedication and craftsmanship involved in creating such a unique chair.

KOMA's artful approach stems from a blend of traditional Japanese techniques and contemporary design principles. Matsuoka, lauded for his craftsmanship and innovation, has garnered numerous accolades, establishing KOMA as a benchmark for quality in the global furniture market.

KOMA aims to inspire not only through its designs but also through its approach to furniture-making—as not merely functional items but as contributors to enriching human experience. You can explore more about KOMA and its extraordinary creations through their website or visit their stores in Suginami and Aoyama for an immersive experience into the world of handcrafted furniture.

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For more details about the Maerge chair and the exhibition at KOMA, visit KOMA's official website.