Gorgeous! The Kashiwado Chair by Isamu Kenmochi is made from cut out blocks of Japanese Sugi root and then carved and layered on top of each other in the shape of the chair. The wood is then polished and coated to give it its final look. [via]
The chair is inspired by a Japanese sumo wrestler from the 1960’s named Kashiwado, hence the reason why the chair is so bulky and heavy. The Kashiwado Chair weights approximately 176 pounds (80 kg).
I have no idea how much this costs, but based on what I know from Japanese furniture design, I’m guessing that this chair will pretty much make me broke.
Thanks for your favourable comments regarding the Kashiwado Chair. It is certainly one of the most exquisite pieces. This chair is available in Australia from youshiki – http://www.youshiki.com.au and retails for aud $7,700 (including GST) or if you are in Tokyo it is available from Tendo – http://www.tendo.ne.jp (price on application).