Woodwork
Eiji Hagiwara
Born in Tokyo, Eiji Hagiwara now works out of his studio in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture. He's inspired by the simple work of the Shakers, encountered whilst travelling in the United States. This inspired him to pursue woodworking as a full-time career and make it his lifework to produce functional objects that stand the test of time.
Eiji uses hardwoods, such as walnut, persimmon, teak, cherry, and chestnut. Although he produces small pieces of furniture at his studio, he also has a great eye for crafting tableware by hand and using minimal machinery. This includes chopsticks, spoons, dishes, tea boxes, and bud vases. His goal is to utilise the nature of the tree to the best of his ability, following the grain of the wood and making sure they fit economically in the users hands.
