Blending Forest Conservation and Craftsmanship: OBJECT⇄FOREST's Exhibition in Tokyo

Connecting Forest Conservation and Craftsmanship

The upcoming exhibition, OBJECT⇄FOREST, aims to bridge the gap between forest conservation and craftsmanship by showcasing unique stools and benches made from local timber. This exhibition will take place from October 10 to November 2, 2025, at Tokyo Midtown during the TOKYO MIDTOWN DESIGN LIVE 2025 event.

The project focuses on utilizing lesser-known wood materials such as insect-damaged timber and root wood sourced from Aichi Prefecture's Ishiro Forest, which is often overlooked in the market. The stools and benches crafted from these raw materials can be seated on during the exhibition, allowing visitors to not only see these crafts but interact with them as well. Additionally, on October 11 and 12, visitors will have the chance to participate in hands-on logging workshops led by the Shinshiro Kikkories.

Co-Creation of Forest and Craft

OBJECT⇄FOREST is the result of collaboration among local forestry experts from Shinshiro Kikkories, project director and product designer Ryota Yokozeki, and various crafting companies including Karimoku Furniture and Sugiyama Manufacturing. Together, they have produced a total of seven different models of stools and benches that highlight the potential of locally sourced materials.

The stools and benches created for this exhibition are intended to serve as public furniture that will be displayed in Shinshiro's forests and public spaces following the exhibition in Tokyo. This initiative aims to allow a wide range of people to experience wooden furniture close to their surroundings, fostering an appreciation for wood and increasing interest in the forests that provide these materials. The project's storytellers will share diverse narratives about the forest and craftsmanship through their website and Instagram.

Through OBJECT⇄FOREST, there's a desire to encourage community engagement, deepen understanding of forests, and ensure that necessary resources are accessible in the right places. This project aspires to develop a platform for forest conservation and management activities modeled after this initiative.

For inquiries regarding tours, project consultations, collaborations, or product purchases, please reach out via email to [email protected].

Exhibition Details

Dates: October 10 (Friday) - November 2 (Sunday), 2025
Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Midtown Garden, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Event: TOKYO MIDTOWN DESIGN LIVE 2025

Workshop Information

Title: Let’s Create “Kakera Key Holders” with Shinshiro Kikkories
Participants will learn about the role of the Ishiro Forest in Shinshiro City and its significance while working with logs cut and polished from the region. Led by Takaji, a logger from Shinshiro Kikkories, participants will create their personal “Kakera” key holders.

Schedule:

Dates: October 11 (Saturday), 12 (Sunday)
Sessions: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Capacity: 10 participants per session
Fee: ¥1,000

Note: Participants must sign up at the venue and arrive five minutes before the start time. The workshop entails using saws and hammers, so children under third grade must be accompanied by an adult.

Profiles of Key Individuals

Kenichi Taji | Shinshiro Kikkories
The representative of Shinshiro Kikkories, Kenichi Taji, has lived in various countries during his childhood. After graduating from university, he aspired to become a motorcycle racer in Australia but returned to Japan after experiencing a natural disaster during his bike travels. This prompted him to pursue forestry and establish Shinshiro Kikkories in 2015.

Ryota Yokozeki | RYOTA YOKOZEKI STUDIO
Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1985, Ryota Yokozeki graduated from Kanazawa College of Art, majoring in product design. He worked at Sony Creative Center from 2008 to 2017 before founding his own studio. He engages in product design and creative direction for diverse projects in furniture and appliances, and has received multiple awards for his work.