Image: Wikimedia Commons
Asahikawa Furniture is a general term for wood furniture made in and around Asahikawa, Hokkaido, recognized as one of Japan's leading furniture-producing regions alongside Shizuoka, Hida, Tokushima, and Okawa. Its origins trace back to a sawmill opened in 1890 (Meiji 23) alongside the founding of Asahikawa Village; the completion of the railway in 1898 and the relocation of the Army's 7th Division in 1899 prompted carpenters and furniture and joinery craftsmen from Honshu to settle in Asahikawa, putting the woodworking industry on a full-scale footing. A cold-damage crop failure in 1913 led to the opening of a woodworking training institute that advanced technical skills, and in 1949 Asahikawa was the only district in Hokkaido designated a nationally important woodworking industrial district. The region draws on high-quality hardwood from the old-growth forests of the Taisetsu mountain range near Asahikawa, and has continued pursuing world-class design through the International Furniture Design Fair Asahikawa (IFDA), first held in 1990. Today, about 40 furniture makers in Asahikawa, Higashikawa, Higashikagura, and Toma belong to the Asahikawa Furniture Manufacturers' Cooperative, supporting the region's brand as a whole through joint exhibitions and joint order-taking.
Origin
The origins of Asahikawa Furniture lie in a sawmill completed in 1890 (Meiji 23), alongside the founding of Asahikawa Village amid ongoing settlement. Timber was initially used for settlers' housing and everyday tools, but the 1898 completion of the railway and the 1899 relocation of the Army's 7th Division brought carpenters and furniture and joinery craftsmen from Honshu to Asahikawa for full-scale town building, laying the foundation for the full development of the woodworking industry.
History
After a 1913 (Taisho 2) cold-damage crop failure dealt a blow to agriculture, Asahikawa opened a woodworking training institute to promote industry, advancing instruction and research in woodworking techniques. After the war, demand for building occupation-forces facilities revived the woodworking industry, and in 1949 Asahikawa became the only district in Hokkaido designated a nationally important woodworking industrial district. In 1990, the International Furniture Design Fair Asahikawa (IFDA) began, and through this world-class design competition the region has worked to nurture young designers and raise the brand strength of the entire production area.
Features
The greatest strength is a stable supply of high-quality hardwood such as oak, ash, and elm from the old-growth forests of the Taisetsu mountain range near Asahikawa. The region is characterized by a pursuit of simple, functional design that makes the most of the wood's qualities, and the high design standards refined through the International Furniture Design Fair have earned it a place among Japan's leading furniture-producing regions. About 40 companies in Asahikawa, Higashikawa, Higashikagura, and Toma belong to the Asahikawa Furniture Manufacturers' Cooperative, supporting the region through joint exhibitions, joint order-taking, and joint logistics.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Sawing and drying
Logs sourced from areas such as the Taisetsu mountain range are sawn and then dried slowly over time to prevent warping.
- 2
Processing and assembly
Parts are machined according to the design and assembled using a combination of craftsmen's handwork and machinery.
- 3
Finishing
Surfaces are polished and finished with oil or paint to bring out the beauty of the wood grain and enhance durability.
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Artisans & Workshops
カンディハウス
A furniture maker headquartered with its own factory in Nagayama, Asahikawa. It handles everything in-house from development to manufacturing, and is a leading maker of Asahikawa Furniture with high acclaim both in Japan and abroad.
Official site →How to Buy
- 旭川デザインセンター
- A hub for Asahikawa Furniture that permanently displays and sells products from about 30 furniture makers in and around Asahikawa. Visitors can test the seating comfort before purchasing, and woodwork and craft items are also available.Where to buy →PR
- 旭川家具工業協同組合
- A cooperative with about 40 member furniture makers from Asahikawa, Higashikawa, Higashikagura, and Toma. It introduces information about member makers and the region's initiatives.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
カンディハウス 旭川本社工場
北海道旭川市永山北2条6丁目
Offers the reservation-only 'CH Factory Tour,' touring the process of how a chair is made, followed by a workshop where visitors can make a wooden tray or pot mat.
View details →旭川デザインセンター
北海道旭川市永山2条10丁目1-35
Free admission, displaying and selling about 1,200 furniture and craft items. Open 10:00-17:00, closed every Tuesday (except public holidays) and during the New Year holidays.
View details →