Interview about TPH Cypress Tissue Paper Holder, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2021
The TPH Cypress has a simple and minimal shape in which paper is sandwiched between two inverted V-shaped trays and taken out from above. A beautiful paper holder made using the traditional technique Japanese call Hikimage with Kiso cypress. Kiso is famous for producing cypress. A metal fitting is attached to the back side of the upper tray. As a result, the weight is increased and friction is reduced, enabling smooth removal. Kiso cypress is highly antibacterial, has a very beautiful grain, and has a refreshing scent.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe design began with a desire to bring the inherent beauty of Kiso cypress—material that has long supported everyday life in Japan—into a contemporary lifestyle product. Known for its antibacterial properties, refined grain, and refreshing aroma, the cypress is shaped into an inverted V-form using a traditional hikimagé bending technique, resulting in a simple yet highly functional structure for holding tissue paper.By avoiding industrial press machines and instead polishing only the bark through meticulous handcraft, the natural warmth and dignity of the material remain intact. Because this product is touched daily and directly by the user, we focused on preserving the gentleness and comfort of natural wood.Ultimately, the fusion of an ancient artisanal technique with a minimalist modern form allows each to enhance the other. I believe it has resulted in a universally elegant tissue paper holder that harmonizes gracefully with a wide variety of interior environments.
The TPH Cypress Tissue Paper Holder is actually the third iteration of this inverted-V structure, following previous versions crafted in leather and then in steel. Through those developments, I learned that the balance between weight and friction in the upper tray is crucial for a seamless tissue-pulling experience.Cypress offers a comforting tactile quality and aroma, but its lightness posed a challenge: the upper tray needed just enough weight to remain stable while still allowing the tissue to slide smoothly. The brass hemisphere became the ideal solution — it adds a precise amount of weight and creates a subtle point contact that reduces excessive friction.This combination allows the tray to move naturally with the user’s gesture, achieving a tactile satisfaction unique to wood, while maintaining the engineering precision refined through past materials.
Beyond simply holding tissue paper, Kiso cypress enhances the user’s experience on multiple sensory and emotional levels. Its inherent antibacterial properties provide peace of mind, especially for an item frequently touched and used around the face and hands.At the same time, the refined grain pattern and gentle, refreshing aroma create a subtle connection to nature within daily life. Every interaction — seeing, touching, and even smelling the material — adds comfort and a moment of calm.By integrating these natural qualities into a minimalist form, the product offers more than functionality; it brings a sense of wellbeing and quiet luxury to ordinary gestures, transforming a familiar act into a pleasant, mindful experience.
Although the inverted V-shaped form appears minimal, reaching this final geometry required multiple rounds of prototyping and refinement. My goal was to create the simplest possible structure that enables tissue to be drawn smoothly — without tearing, resistance, or unnecessary mechanisms.Earlier iterations in leather and steel taught me how different materials behave under pressure and friction, which directly informed the precise angles, balance, and proportions of the design. When transitioning to Kiso cypress, I further refined the structure so that its natural flexibility, tactile warmth, and fragrance could enhance the interaction.Durability and sustainability were also key considerations. By relying on the inherent strength of solid wood and eliminating complex parts, this design can be maintained and enjoyed for decades. The use of a renewable, responsibly sourced material ensures that the product not only serves a functional purpose but also respects the environment it originates from.Through this iterative process of testing and simplifying, I arrived at a form where every line has intention and nothing is extraneous — a quiet, enduring simplicity that performs a surprisingly complex function with clarity and grace.
One of the greatest challenges in this project was adapting the hikimage bending technique to an inverted V-shaped form. Traditionally, this method relies on four connected corners to secure stability, but the V-shape lacks that structural support from the beginning.The number and spacing of the cuts directly determine not only how the wood bends, but the exact angle at which it holds. Too few cuts create excessive tension and risk cracking; too many reduce the wood’s strength and disrupt the surface beauty. And importantly, the angle had to be optimized so that tissue could be pulled out smoothly with a light, natural gesture.Achieving this required extensive prototyping and a very close collaboration with skilled craftsmen who deeply understand the behavior of Kiso cypress. Together, we refined the geometry millimeter by millimeter, adjusting the rhythm of the cuts so the material would bend into the precise angle needed for both function and stability — all while maintaining a visually pure, uninterrupted line.By overcoming these technical hurdles, the final design appears effortless, but it embodies high structural precision and respect for the material.
The evolution from leather and steel to Kiso cypress came from a desire to let this design live harmoniously in different environments. Each material brings a unique character and allows the same simple form to adapt to diverse lifestyles and interior atmospheres.With the cypress version, I was particularly inspired by the quiet beauty of traditional Japanese architecture, where natural materials like wood and paper create a sense of warmth and calm. Tissue paper is something that people touch every day — an intimate object within the home — so I wanted to reimagine it through a distinctly Japanese lens, using a material that has long shaped our living spaces.By incorporating the hikimage bending technique, the product connects modern daily life with a craft heritage that has been refined for generations. My motivation was to create something new that still feels familiar — a contemporary design that carries the spirit of traditional Japanese culture without any sense of contradiction.
For me, design is not just about fulfilling functional needs. It's about enriching the small moments that shape our daily lives. A tissue holder may seem ordinary at first glance, but it's something we touch and see many times a day, something we need to keep close by. It's precisely because of this that it can bring warmth, beauty, and mindfulness to the simple act of taking a tissue.The TPH Hinoki Tissue Holder was crafted with functionality in mind, offering a smooth, effortless pull. But the sensory experience is just as important. The feel of natural wood, the soothing scent of Kiso cypress, and the quiet presence of its minimalist form all add a subtle yet meaningful lift to everyday life.I believe that when everyday objects combine both practicality and emotion, we can breathe more slowly and feel a stronger connection to our surroundings. This philosophy guided every design decision.
Working closely with craftsmen in Kiso Town was essential in realizing the final expression of the Hikimage technique. Their deep, hands-on understanding of how Kiso cypress behaves—how it bends, how it reacts to humidity, how it holds tension—allowed us to refine details that design tools alone could never resolve.Through repeated prototyping and open dialogue, we calibrated the thickness, cut spacing, and bending angle until the piece achieved both structural stability and smooth usability. At the same time, the craftsmen rediscovered new possibilities within their own technique. Applying Hikimage to a contemporary everyday object encouraged them to explore forms beyond traditional applications.This co-creation allowed the project to serve not only as a preservation of craft, but as a step toward its evolution.
Winning the Silver A' Design Award reinforced the value of combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary design. The recognition validated the idea that techniques like Hikimage can resonate globally when reimagined for today’s lifestyles.It also strengthened my sense of responsibility — to not only protect these skills, but to create new opportunities where artisans can apply them confidently. The award encouraged both myself and the craftsmen to pursue further experiments, where tradition continues to live and evolve rather than remain static.This experience has deepened my commitment to design as a bridge: connecting history with the future, and craft with the everyday lives of people around the world.
To be honest, I cannot predict how this particular design will influence others. However, if the TPH Cypress Tissue Paper Holder can serve as even a small reminder that traditional, sustainable techniques still have untapped potential, I would be very happy.I believe designers today have the opportunity—and responsibility—to rethink materials not only for efficiency, but for their cultural and emotional value as well. If this project encourages someone to rediscover local craftsmanship or to collaborate more closely with artisans who understand natural materials, then its impact will extend far beyond the object itself.Ultimately, my hope is that sustainability is not seen as a limitation, but as a creative force that connects people, traditions, and the future of design.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
