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Nakajimaya Crossing: A Venn Diagram of Innovative Craftsmanship

10.25.24 | By
Nakajimaya Crossing: A Venn Diagram of Innovative Craftsmanship

Japan has long been revered for its deep-rooted dedication to craftsmanship, where the pursuit of perfection through repletion is not just a practice but a generational ambition. This idea is particularly familiar in Shizuoka City, a former castle town that became a vibrant hub for artisans around 400 years ago. Honoring this rich heritage, Japanese design studio UO created the bold sculpture Nakajimaya Crossing in the lobby of the century-old Nakajimaya Grand Hotel. This dramatic installation, accompanied by smaller objects and a façade design to greet visitors, visually celebrates four types of crafts, as well as innovative combinations of these techniques, all elegantly framed within elongated metal structures.

modern hotel lobby with contemporary art sculptures, a spacious layout, and minimalist furniture arranged around the reception area.

The installation features metal frames that stack and layer to form a central tower in the lobby, as well as four wall-mounted pieces behind the front desk. These frames create a series of intersecting shapes and half-moons that each highlight a different traditional craft. Where the frames intersect, unique blends of two crafts are displayed, illustrating an innovative fusion of artisanal techniques. For example, at the intersection of a frame showcasing fabric dyed with tea leaves (a technique called “ocha-zome”) and another featuring precisely arranged 2mm bamboo strips (“take-sensuji”), a three-dimensional textile emerges, intricately woven from both dyed fabric and bamboo.

A modern abstract sculpture with various geometric shapes and wooden elements stands on a gray tiled floor in a dimly lit room

A modern abstract sculpture with various geometric shapes and wooden elements stands on a gray tiled floor in a dimly lit room

A close-up of an abstract design with black lines and brown, rectangular elements, intersected by thin, vertical metal rods

Close up of A modern abstract sculpture with various geometric shapes and wooden elements

This project not only showcases the merging of diverse crafts but also represents an extraordinary collaboration among four craftsmen, each typically working independently within their distinct disciplines. Facilitated by UO, these artisans were challenged to step beyond the boundaries of their individual skills, learning from one another to create new and inventive technical expressions.

Three overlapping circular and oval wall art pieces with geometric designs in neutral tones are mounted on a textured wall

Close-up of the corner joints of an abstract, geometrically designed wooden structure, featuring black and natural wood colors combined with precise triangular shapes and sleek edges

closeup of A modern abstract sculpture with various geometric shapes and wooden elements

Guided by Nakajimaya Crossing as the project’s centerpiece, the hotel plans to extend this concept beyond the sculpture, integrating these combined techniques into furniture, room keys, and other elements to craft a cohesive and immersive visual identity throughout the guest experience. As a permanent fixture at the Nakajimaya Grand Hotel, Nakajimaya Crossing not only redefines traditional craftsmanship but also symbolizes the hotel’s role as a gathering place for diverse skills.

A circular wall art piece with an abstract design in black and brown tones is mounted against a beige patterned wall

Close-up view of an oval-shaped object with a geometric black and brown pattern, set against a light-colored, textured background

A wooden spindle enclosed in an oval-shaped black metal frame mounted on a textured wall

close up of a wooden sculpture

A close-up of modern wooden and wire sculptures displayed on a black metal shelf with circular compartments against a textured wall

A modern abstract sculpture with circular and rectangular elements, featuring wood and metal materials, stands on a patterned floor in a dimly lit room

A wooden sculpture featuring various geometric shapes, including spheres, cylinders, and a segmented vase-like structure, illuminated with dramatic lighting

Two wooden figurines with minimalistic facial features are stacked one on top of the other inside a thin metal frame, casting shadows

A geometric abstract artwork with layered shapes including a chess piece, woven pattern, curved and straight lines, and wood textures, all arranged within a square frame on a dark background

Chess pieces and a partially visible board with abstract shadows and lighting effects create a dramatic and modern ambiance

A person walks beneath a corner sign for Nakajimaya Grand Hotel on a modern city street with large windows displaying art pieces

To learn more about Nakajimaya Crossing by UO, visit uo-design.jp.

Photography by Keita Otsuka, featured photo by @hikimonojo639_official

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.