Interview with JIN KURAMOTO / JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO
I hope that Oiya will be the catalyst to grow the tile industry in Awaji.
— Jin Kuramoto / JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO
photography : Isao Hashinoki
words : Reiji Yamakura/IDREIT
Jin Kuramoto, the head of Tokyo-based JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO, is a product designer working in various furniture and electrical products. We asked Kuramoto to tell us the story behind the development of Oiya, a new project established by three pottery companies in Awaji Island. He has designed the entire range of Oiya products recently unveiled, including wall tiles, blocks and furniture.
Oiya is a project to create new building materials with craftsmen by using Awaji Island's unique tile technique.
Three potter companies are working together to develop Oiya. All product are designed by JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO.
— We heard that Awaji Island is your birthplace. First of all, could you tell us about the beginning of the Oiya project?
Awaji is famous as one of the best kawara tile producing areas in Japan, but traditional roof tiles are not selling as well as they used to. However, three companies who wanted to try something new got together and started this project despite this shrinking trend.
To start the new project, they were looking for a designer they could develop with for a long time, and in 2017 I was offered the designs. The three manufacturers are Tatsumi Corporation, which specialises in bespoke products such as custom-made onigawara and Mihara Tokusyu-Kawara, known for their unique baking techniques and Nomizu, who have a large factory and mainly produce roof tiles.
— In the beginning, did the clients decide what kind of product they wanted to develop?
Yes. The potters had the vision to create a building material like a tile. In the past, they had made custom-made tiles for famous architects, and the three saw the potential in the market.
Awaji Island is known as one of the three largest tile producing areas in Japan for its quality clay.
— What does the name Oiya mean?
The name Oiya is derived from the Scandinavian word for island, Øy. It was also chosen because a word used for casual greetings on Awaji Island has a similar sound. Haruhiko Taniuchi, a creative director of desegno ltd., developed their brand name and communication strategies. In order to differentiate Oiya from other local projects, Taniuchi has created a story that seemed like an imaginary country or region instead of promoting the typical landscape and craftsmanship of Awaji Island. For me, Awaji is my hometown, so I tended to get too involved, so it was great to have Taniuchi's objective perspective to organise the information.
The block ‘B-01’ forms a hexagon when the two are put together. Manufacturing was carried out in three companies, depending on the technology required.
— Well, that sounds like an ideal team. Then, how did you come up with the idea for the product design?
There are two ways of making pottery: wet processing and dry processing. Kawara tiles are made in a wet process, mixing and kneading with clay and water, so they shrink by 9-12% when fired, and the shape can be slightly distorted. Compared to dry-processed ceramic tiles, the tiles are less precise, but I wanted to use the unevenness of the tiles as a design feature. We thought that an organic vibe would suit the current mood and that architects would enjoy the unique, uneven textures.
— I agree. It's perfect for today's society, where the value of handwork is highly valued.
Today, diversity is essential, and there is a trend towards valuing the context and background of manufacturing. Our products are characterised by such an uneven range, not only in shape but also in colour. For example, the brown tiles are available in a variety of dark and light colours, depending on how they are fired. The craftsman who bakes them has a very artistic sense. The advantage of Oiya is that we are able to work with such experienced and creative craftsmen as a team.
— We hear that some tiles have a rough texture, like a crack.
Yes. We wanted to show the unevenness on the surface, so we extruded the piece into an H-shape, and before firing, we split it in the middle to make a T-shape. The rough unevenness of the split tile T-01 gives a warm and natural look.
‘T-01’ tile showing a cracked rough texture in the centre.
The block ‘B-02’ was a challenge to realise.
— What did you pay attention to in the overall design?
We were cautious not to over-design. It's a bit difficult to make, but if you don't add design, you don't create uniqueness. On the other hand, if the character is too strong, architects will not choose it. For example, the tiles, which look like lattices or textiles, were developed based on optimising traditional styles rather than creating original patterns. I've heard that when architects choose furniture, they tend to pick furniture with more minor characters. In the same way, we were always aware of what kind of design would be accepted by the interior designers and architects.
— Was there anything challenging to produce?
The manufacturer had to work hard to produce a thicker block, like B-02, as it would explode during firing. The B-02 is 95 mm wide and has a half-circle hole in the middle. We designed it so that the two blocks can be put together to form a circle or arranged in various ways. Actually, we proposed a lot more that are difficult to manufacture, so they are still under development.
Bench ‘F-03‘.
Bench ‘F-05’. There are also tables and a bench with a seat made of tiles.
— We were surprised by a furniture series made from roof tiles for the legs.
As the tiles are strong enough, we designed several types of benches that can be connected and used in hotels and public spaces. These are made by the onigawara craftsmen, who can create custom-made, free-form shapes like sculptures. Besides, the tiles on the bench, called Ibushi-gawara, are characteristic of Awaji Island, with carbon added to the surface when fired.
— Finally, could you tell us about the future of Oiya?
I have seen the tile industry decline on Awaji Island, so I hope that Oiya will be the catalyst to grow the tile industry in Awaji. For the future of the local tile industry, we want to encourage architects to discover the fun of tile technology through Oiya. Also, Oiya has the advantage of short delivery times and small production batches that can be customised. We imagine a future that Oiya becomes an open creative service, with a broader product range including bespoke tiles by external designers.
Oiya's visuals and communication are directed by desegno ltd.
Oiya's tiles and furniture were exhibited at the gallery of Karimoku Commons Tokyo in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, from 27 August to 30 September.
JIN KURAMOTO
Jin Kuramoto is a Japanese designer who established JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO INC. in 2008. Based on an approach to communicating concepts and stories in clear expressions and forms, he designs and develops a wide range of products, from furniture and household appliances to eyewear and cars. His studio provides designs for a variety of national and international clients.
