In ancient times, the spirit of the Hida no Takumi—the master craftsmen who supported the construction of temples and shrines across Japan—evolved over the centuries. By the Edo period, it had found new expression in the creation of fine household implements that adorned the refined lifestyles of townspeople and samurai alike. Among these were the lustrous bowls and trays of Shunkei-nuri lacquerware, delicate chopsticks, ornate boxes given as gifts, and highly practical magewappa bentwood containers. Each piece embodied meticulous craftsmanship and a deep sense of beauty, enriching daily meals and ceremonial occasions.
With the modernization of the Meiji and Taisho eras and the spread of Western lifestyles throughout Japan, Hida’s woodworking expanded into the realm of Western-style furniture—chairs, tables, and more. In the present day, it has further evolved into a diverse range of craft products, all built upon a foundation of tradition. The spirit of the Takumi continues to be passed down, changing its form while remaining vibrant and alive.
In this article, we will explore how this historical legacy carried into the modern era, as the Hida no Takumi broadened their stage to the worlds of furniture-making and contemporary crafts.
The Spirit of the Hida no Takumi in Modern Furniture — Innovation Born of Forests and Craftsmen
Encounter with the Forest’s Hidden Resource (Taisho Era: from 1920)
In early spring of 1920 (Taisho 9), with snow still clinging to the ground, Takazo Takeda, a miso and soy sauce brewer in Takayama, overheard someone at his shop say, “You can make chairs from beech wood.” At the time, Hida was covered in rich primeval forests, and beech in particular was considered a “useless” wood, left to grow untouched. The meeting with the Morimae brothers, who had learned the art of bentwood furniture-making in Kansai, sparked the first shoots of a new industry that would make use of this overlooked resource.
In this article, we will follow how the skills and spirit of Hida’s craftsmen, channeled into furniture and crafts during the modern era, shaped the industry we see today.
Historical Context
The Taisho period in Japan saw Western culture gradually entering daily life. In urban areas, Western furniture was beginning to gain popularity, but in rural regions, life still centered around tatami mats and low tables. Chairs and dining tables were viewed as tools for an “exotic” way of life.
The technique of steaming beech wood, placing it in molds, and bending it into shape had been developed in the 19th century by German craftsman Michael Thonet. It produced furniture that was light, strong, and easy to mass-produce. This was the moment that method arrived in Hida.
Days of Challenge and Refinement (1923 – Early Showa Period)
The early years of furniture-making were filled with setbacks. Moisture control in wood was difficult—too dry and it would crack during bending, too moist and it would spring back or split after drying. The first shipment to Nagoya was marred when the lacquer finish peeled during transport along bumpy mountain roads, leading to the adoption of finishing by local lacquer artisans.
Creating Western-style chairs in a region unfamiliar with “chair life” was itself a cultural leap. But Hida’s long tradition of woodworking, rooted in the skills of the Hida no Takumi who had built temples since ancient times, provided a solid foundation for this new craft.
Surviving the Great Depression (1930s)
When the Great Depression reached Japan in the 1930s, Hida’s furniture makers responded with innovation. They developed new products such as a triangular three-legged stool and stackable chairs, which were functional, space-saving, and patent-protected.
In 1936, contact with a foreign buyer led to exports to the United States. Folding chairs and veneered seating began to make their way into overseas markets, and Hida stepped onto the international stage.
Historical Context
In the early Showa period, Japan’s society became increasingly militarized, and furniture manufacturing shifted toward military production.
War and Technological Advancement (1940s)
During the war, factories produced ammunition boxes and even wooden fighter aircraft. At the same time, engineers such as Hanshi Kojima introduced a scientific approach, bringing in Japan’s first wood moisture meters and pioneering high-frequency drying technology.
After the war, the company was reborn as Hida Sangyo, and large orders from the occupying Allied forces—including furnishings for “Dependent Houses”—helped Western-style furniture become part of Japanese daily life.
Colonial Style and the Export Boom (1950s–1960s)
By the 1950s, Colonial-style furniture for the U.S. market became the main product. Using domestic wood cheaper than maple, and supported by in-house developed machinery, exports expanded rapidly, at one point accounting for more than 80% of Japan’s wooden furniture exports.
In the 1960s, Japan’s rapid economic growth brought Western-style living into ordinary homes. Modern home sets and dining furniture became popular, lifting the skills of the entire local woodworking industry.
The Birth of the “Hida no Kagu” Brand (1965–)
In 1965, the “Hida no Kagu” exhibition at Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, drew huge crowds. Designer Anji Hanamori’s calligraphy for the brand name became its official logo, and Hida’s furniture secured a reputation both in Japan and abroad.
Cultural Context
During this time, the “Discover Japan” campaign spurred a domestic travel boom, and regional treasures like Hida’s furniture gained national attention, linking tourism and industry.
Expansion of the Industry and Legacy Today
From the postwar years through the 1970s, numerous makers such as Kashiwagi Kou, Nissin Moku Kou, and Shirakawa were founded, forming a strong manufacturing network. The adoption of dining kitchens in public housing shifted Japanese homes from the chabudai low table to chair-based dining, boosting demand.
Hida’s reputation continued to grow with prestigious projects like supplying furniture for the new Imperial Palace and exhibiting internationally.
Conclusion — A Century Woven by Forest and Hands
The modern history of Hida’s furniture and woodworking industry has been built on three pillars:
- The vision to see value in overlooked resources
- The flexibility to embrace new technology
- The commitment to pass the Takumi’s skills into the future
What began in a snowbound mountain town with bentwood chairs has become a brand recognized worldwide. The story of Hida’s forests and its people will continue to be quietly told for generations to come.