WOW inc., a visual design studio led by Yuji Takahashi, has teamed up with product designer Marc Newson to present "aikuchi," a Japanese sword as an art piece. Only 10 pairs will be produced worldwide, and they will be exhibited for one day only on March 20th on the third floor of the Tokyo Art Club in Shinbashi, Tokyo. Newson, who has lived in Japan and continues to create works in a wide range of genres, from household goods to watches, yachts, and architecture, has now chosen the Japanese sword, a traditional craft boasting over 1,000 years of tradition. The title of the work, "aikuchi," refers to the "aiguchi" style of Japanese sword, which does not have a tsuba (guard). The design of all the accessories for aikuchi, including the graphic pattern of the sheath, the tsuba processing method, the string, storage case, and display, were all designed with the input of artisans. The blade was crafted by the Hokke family, a swordsmith family that has been in business since the 1700s and is the birthplace of WOW's president, Takahashi. The storage case is made from a traditional Tohoku chest of drawers, the Iwayado Tansu, and the design of the sword fittings utilizes the artisanal techniques of the traditional Tohoku lacquerware, the Hidehira Nuri, and were produced in collaboration between WOW's Takahashi and Newson.

WOW's president, Takahashi, was born in the family of the Hokke family, a swordsmith family that has been in business since the 1700s. Takahashi founded the company in Sendai in 1997. It expanded to Tokyo in 2000 and London in 2007, and is also committed to promoting Japanese tradition and beauty. This work marks the first time that WOW, which has previously focused on visual works, has undertaken comprehensive product production from planning to production.


【Exhibition Information】
WOW×Marc Newson “aikuchi” exhibition
Venue: Tokyo Bijutsu Club, 3rd floor
Address: 6-19-15, Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Date and Time: March 20, 2014, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free admission