HIWADA
Kiichi Ueda
閃として幾度も制作に用いてきた越前和紙。その産地に立ち並ぶ製紙工房を抜けた先に、和紙の神を祀る大瀧神社が静かに佇んでいます。大瀧神社は、檜皮で葺かれた独特の多重構造の屋根を持ち、随所に施された美しい彫刻とともに、境内の圧倒的な存在感を放っています。本作は、この神社から着想を得てデザインしたラウンジチェアです。檜皮葺ならではの柔らかな曲線や香り、温かみのある触感を背や座面に生かし、柱や梁にあたるフレームで支えました。大瀧神社の屋根は、来年葺き替えを予定しています。今回の制作は、その予習とも言えるでしょう。私自身がその大工事に直接関わることはありませんが、産地に関わらせていただく者として、興味深く見守っていきたいと思います。 Echizen washi is a material we have repeatedly worked with as SEN. Beyond the row of papermaking workshops that define its place of origin, Ōtaki Shrine dedicated to the deity of washi stands quietly. The shrine is distinguished by its unique, multi-layered roof clad in hinoki bark, and together with the exquisite carvings found throughout, it commands an overwhelming presence within the grounds.This lounge chair was designed with inspiration drawn from that shrine. The gentle curves characteristic of hinoki-bark roofing, along with its scent and warm, tactile quality, are reflected in the backrest and seat, supported by a frame that corresponds to pillars and beams. The roof of Ōtaki Shrine is scheduled to be rethatched 2026. In that sense, this project can be seen as a kind of preparation or prelude. While I will not be directly involved in the major renovation, as someone who is engaged with this place of production, I look forward to observing the process with great interest. Design / Production : Kiichi Ueda Cypress bark : Terao Shouten Client : self work Period : November 2025 Photo : Rikuo Takata