The Sea of tranquility is the name of a lunar mare located around the face of the rabbit on the moon.
This is where humans first walked on the moon when the Apollo 11 landed on July 20, 1969.
This table was designed to feature a tranquil appearance, that seems to eliminate its presence
altogether. Its elements as a table are assembled with the simplest possible configuration. It
consists of a single top, two legs, and four simple parts that serve to connect the two legs. However,
we designed and finished each of these parts in detail. Making a product with a simplistic design is
merely primitive, and does not produce a look of refinement. This method of eliminating the table’s
presence while preserving its individuality and sophistication is referred to in Japan as “static
dynamism.” It’s a term that conveys the coexistence of the quiet and dynamic. From Japan’s crafts,
such as swords, lacquer, and mother-of-pearl, to the form of its shrines and temples, this “static
dynamism” is a uniquely Japanese aesthetic sense and the essence of making things to which its
people aspire. To be present with the quiet dignity of a shrine or temple while having the holiness of
a sanctuary made of unfinished wood that can withstand the elements. This is the style of table that
we had been searching for.
The tabletop is formed from 35 mm-thick solid boards of random widths put together. Selecting
the materials and connecting them at random widths gives the top a more natural look. To make
the top appear as thin as possible, we cut the edges at curves to within 10 mm, then gave it slopes
for a form that returns to 35 mm. Plus, the legs that support the tabletop have been given a delicate
streamlined form, yet remain reliably strong. It offers a calm presence like the Sea of tranquility that
rests quietly on the moon, while conveying delicate beauty amidst both stillness and dynamism.
When iron and water are applied to the tannins contained within oak, the iron and tannins react
to produce a black color. This staining technique has been handed down in Japan for ages, and
we have adopted a finishing method for a deep gray color that utilizes this special characteristic
of natural materials. And for the unfinished wood, we have introduced a soap finish that takes
advantage of the resistance toward soapy water to bring out even more of a dignified appearance
from the unfinished wood. We also offer a finish using sunflower oil from Hokkaido, made from
natural ingredients we have always used, and our original beeswax finish made using a blend that
contains domestically-produced beeswax. The type of finish can dramatically change the look of a
product. We recommend taking advantage of the unique benefits of each finish and choosing them
carefully according to your purpose and style.