Interview about Sakura Cyclone Table, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
This is a low table made of molded cherry plywood. This table usually looks like a large cherry tree growing on the earth. On the other hand, when turning on the light, the cherry blossom blooms in a shadow and makes the space brilliant. It is a table that turns an evening into a special time. Cherry blossom is an important symbol in Japan. But cherry blossoms bloom for only about one week of the year. This table is designed with the fleeting brilliance of the Cherry blossom tree.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsShadows falling from objects are generally not considered. On the other hand, Tanizaki's “In Praise of Shadow” states that Japanese people have the feeling of finding beauty in shadows rather than in light. With this in mind, I attempted to express the ephemeral splendor of cherry blossoms using shadows. I chose a table, a piece of Western furniture, because I thought it would accentuate the Japanese sense of beauty.
It was challenging to achieve the desired angle at which the molded plywood was assembled to create the shadow of the cherry blossoms. I also fixed them with wires so that they could be adjusted.
"Imagination Margin" refers to the room where the user's thoughts can intervene when looking at or using the product. The Sakura Cyclone Table, which only appears in its original form at certain times, can be said to be equipped with “Imagination Margin”.
After sketching the idea, I produced several prototypes with a 3D printer. After that, I went to a plywood factory to discuss with a craftsman about producing the prototypes in wood. However, it turned out that it was difficult to produce the 3D printer model in wood, so we repeated trial and error many times after that. The project was completed in one year.
I received great support from Mr. Kuroda of the design office Hidakuma in Hida. The Sakura Cyclone Table was made possible by a molded plywood factory selected by Mr. Kuroda.
At first, I was thinking of a mechanism that would be supported only by hub bolts, but the shadows didn't fall in good shape. Then, inspired by Michele De Lucchi's “Tolomeo,” I came up with the idea of incorporating a wire adjustment mechanism.
In fact, I have had very little experience in furniture design since I have been designing mobility and home appliances. I think that is why I was able to create innovative furniture ideas.
The idea of having the furniture appear in its original form only at certain times was inspired by the Japanese values of enjoying seasonal scenery and events. Since the majority of furniture is universal, this idea may become a new approach.
Like many Japanese people, I love cherry blossoms. There are many design works using cherry blossoms as a motif, but I have felt that most of them do not capture the essence of the beauty of cherry blossoms. I believe that the essence of cherry blossoms is their ephemeral beauty, which blooms only a few days out of the year. I wanted to express that transience.
First of all, I would like to mass produce the Sakura Cyclone Table. Once mass-produced and in the hands of the public, I hope that this table will take root as a new approach to Japanese furniture design.
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