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.

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.

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.

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.

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.