@OKUYAMATO NARA 奥大和 奈良

Embracing simplicity, where less is more and simple is stylish

ーーMr. Murao, can you tell us about what you create in Totsukawa Village and its features?

Murao：I work on two main pillars: wooden furniture and wooden utensils. Both are designed based on what I personally want and would use. They are nothing more or less than that. The furniture is characterized by its extreme simplicity. For example, in the case of a round-legged dining chair, I avoid over-stylizing and simply connect the same 35mm diameter round bars. The sofas also have very simple geometric compositions. I prefer things that are not overdone and create what I think would be cool. For utensils, I actively use wood with distinctive grain patterns. I intentionally incorporate unique parts like knots or bark into the design, creating distinctively shaped, impactful utensils. Some have saw-cut textures left as is, while others are finely sanded for a glossy finish, creating contrast. There are practical items as well as those closer to objets d’art. Although they are meant to be used as utensils, I aim to create pieces that have a presence even just sitting in a space.

ーーYou mentioned wanting to create items that you personally desire. Where do your ideas and inspirations come from?

Murao：I believe it’s the accumulation of various inputs, just like anyone else. Inspiration may come from furniture I like, or it could be from the structure of a bridge, the shape of leaves, or fruits – anything I find cool. Living in Totsukawa Village means long travel distances, like a one-hour drive one way to the supermarket. Unlike on a train, I can’t read or play with my phone, so I spend a lot of time thinking, ‘How should I join these parts?’ or ‘What if I change this angle?’ It’s a constant mental process.

Using Various Types of Wood, But Every Creation is ‘MADE IN Totsukawa’

ーーCan you tell us about how you started your craft?

Murao：I majored in product design in college and initially worked at a sports equipment manufacturer in Osaka, where I was involved in product planning and package design. However, I’ve always had a passion for furniture and studied furniture design during my university days. Gradually, I developed a desire to design and create the things I wanted myself and envisioned starting my own brand. This led me to attend a vocational training school in Nara to learn woodworking.

ーーWhy did you choose Totsukawa Village as your place to relocate?

Murao：Honestly, it wasn’t because I felt a special attraction to the land, but during my time at the training school, I heard that in Totsukawa Village, I could use the village’s facilities for furniture making as part of the regional revitalization cooperation team activities. Such an opportunity is quite rare in this program. I thought this could be a chance to gain three years of practical experience while starting my own brand, so I decided to move here. When I arrived, there were already two members of the cooperation team, and we still share the workshop. Each of us operates as an individual entrepreneur, but we also formed a group and launched a furniture brand under it.

ーーDo you use Yoshino wood in your furniture making?

Murao：Most of the wood I use for furniture is not local. The reason is, if I limit myself to a specific region for wood, the options become restricted. I use whatever wood I feel is right for a particular piece of furniture, regardless of its origin. However, everything I produce here is made in Totsukawa. On the other hand, I do use local wood for utensils. I prefer using wood with unique grain patterns, so being able to see and choose what I like is important. I often get tips from local foresters about unique pieces of wood, or invitations from lumber mills to come and see what they have. These opportunities are unique to being local.

ーーHow do you want people to use your carefully crafted furniture and utensils?

Murao：Both furniture and utensils develop deeper character as they are used over time. I hope they are used by people who appreciate this aging process. While I mentioned earlier that they could be kept as objects, I actually think they become cooler with more use, acquiring scratches and stains. I would be happy if people use them actively. Since the items I create are things I want for myself, people who desire them probably share similar values with me. I’d be pleased to meet such people, not just in Japan but also internationally, and would love to actually meet them.