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Oku is a new knife design carefully produced in collaboration with highly skilled craftspeople in Tsubame-Sanjo, an area in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, renowned for its metalworking tradition for over 400 years. Influenced by traditional Japanese place setting and arrangement, Oku has a unique folded handle that elevates its function, allowing it to interact with objects on the table in new ways. Oku's innovative form utilises generations-old manufacturing techniques and promotes locally sourced materials and craft skills to challenge centuries-old traditions of Western tableware. Functional yet unconventional, Oku introduces a refined aesthetic that breathes new life into the dining space.
Oku by Kathleen Reilly wins Dezeen - Homeware design of the year 2022
Oku's board is made from sustainably sourced Japanese wood by Karimoku Furniture, Japan's leading wooden furniture manufacturer in both quality and technology. Karimoku is committed to providing sustainable solutions while demonstrating the skill and artistry of its craftspeople. The boards incorporate domestic wood that is underutilised in furniture making. Each board is unique, made of strips expertly cut and assembled to recreate a natural wood grain pattern. Oku's editions allow you to enjoy the qualities and properties of Japan's tree species, expressing the beauty of the forests.
Choose from: Japanese Sakura, Hinoki Cypress, Sawara Cypress
Collaborators: Factarium & Karimoku Furniture
Logo Design: Mami Tamada (inu)
Photography: Kakeru Ooka | Masaaki Inoue | Kengaku Tomooki
Special Thanks: Misako Fujimoto & the inu team, Ritsu Yamada, Minori Shirotori & the Gyokusendo team, Harunobu Sango & the Factarium team, Hiroshi Kato & the Karimoku Furniture team, Mina Miyajima, Azu Kimura, Takuya Takahashi, Marina, Ito, Dezeen Awards, Japan House London, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
