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We often take furniture for granted, but it shapes
our lives in important ways. Chairs in particular
can make an enormous difference in the way we live.
There is a saying that "the king looks like a king
because he sits on the throne, in other words, the
throne makes the king", and indeed, our outlook on
life can be influenced by the chairs in which we
sit. The Zen Chair is not simply a comfortable
piece of furniture, though it has indeed been
carefully designed to fit the human body perfectly.
It is a chair that makes meals more delicious and
work more pleasant. However, it does more than
that. It makes the best use of the characteristics
of wood and other materials and incorporates
traditional forms that express Eastern ideas. |
That is, the Zen Chair makes a
statement about the way we relate to our
environment through its spare but elegant form and
its truthful expression of material. The curved
wood frame, so gentle to the touch, is not bent but
carved from solid pieces. It comes in either
American walnut or Japanese cherry (sakura)
depending on the material of the seat or back. The
seat and back themselves come in three materials
that suit different environments and situations:
cordovan, which is quite stylish; horsehair, which
is neat and trim; and solid, carved wood, which is
a work of art. Each chair is a superb work of the
highest craftsmanship, lovingly made by skilled
workmen. The chair is intended to be used for
generations. It is not an ostentatious piece of
furniture of which one quickly tires. The Zen Chair
will stand the test of time.
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Frame (walnut); This is a soft-textured wood with an unobtrusive grain, strength and resistance to warping. The elegantly curved frame is carved from naturally-dried North American black walnut. |
Frame (cherry): This wood has a fine texture, strength, durability and resistance to water and insects. The naturally-dried Japanese cherry from Hokkaido is carved, as is the walnut from rectangular pieces. |
Cordovan: This material repels water, withstands friction and light, has excellent durability, and takes on greater character with use. It is carefully sewn by an experienced craftsman to fit the subtle curve. |
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Horsehair (hair from the tail of a horse): This material, which has a deep luster, has traditionally been used by the royal houses of Europe for high-class chairs. It resists wearing out and soiling and remains beautiful over a long period of use. |
Wood seat (cherry): the seat, which supports the entire weight of a person, is an important factor in determining comfort. The softly curved seat is skillfully hand-carved from a solid plank 35 millimeters thick. |
Wood back (cherry): Instead of using bent wood, the back is carved from a solid plank. As with the armrest and the seat, the back fits the body comfortably because it has been made by a skilled, experienced craftsman. |
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