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For appointments, please email us at hi@sanctuaryniseko.com

MAYUHANA SE119 Light + Space

Architect Toyo Ito’s 'Mayuhana' series of lamps for lighting companyYamagiwa began as a collaboration more than a decade ago. The Mayuhana series created by reeling fibre glass string around a mold the way thread is spun off a cocoon is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese paper lantern (Bonbori). The beauty of its form is accentuated by the soft illumination coming through the threads.

Price: ¥ 36,000 (+ tax). Available now at Sanctuary Niseko

A balance of form and texture

Designed by Paola Navone for Gervasoni 1882 the Irony Side Table is made of hand woven iron wire. This beautiful and versatile table comes in 3 sizes and can be a chic addition to your living space.

Available now at Sanctuary Niseko

We are open!

SANCTUARY NISEKO OFFICE + GALLERY

N1 BLDG 1F, NORTH 1 WEST 1, KUTCHAN CHO, ABUTA GUN, HOKKAIDO 044-0051 JAPAN

Business hours: 11:00 – 18:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

For appointments, please email us at hello@sanctuaryniseko.com

Thank you for the feature!

We stumbled upon this page one afternoon in Sapporo. We designed and built the U bike in collaboration with Underscore magazine back in 2011. Thank you Premium mag for the feature! 

Interview with Nobuhiro Ichimatsu of Shinpui Woodwork

Master wood craftsman Nobuhiro Ichimatsu shares with us his personal journey and his thoughts on the upcoming Niseko Craft Art Festival on 4 October 2014.

How did you get into craft?

I started making furniture at the age of 38 years old. I was a Civil Engineer with the National highway Authority before that. On an outstation trip to Hokkaido doing land surveying and clearing the mountain forest for road building, I was inspired by the surrounding trees and Hokkaido's natural landscape. I left my job soon after and went on to study furniture making in Obihiro, Hokkaido. A year later upon graduation , I went on to apprentice at a furniture atelier for another year and a half. I had always wanted to set out on my own and start my furniture making company, I looked around Hokkaido for a suitable place to set up base. I travelled many places around Hokkaido before choosing Niseko as home. 

Why Niseko?

It was something unexplainable. I just felt an instant connection with the area surrounded by Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri. There is a special kind of energy here. 

When and how did the Niseko Craft exhibition start?

The first exhibition was just last year in 2013. I was inspired by the level of skill of the local artisans and crafts people in Niseko. I was also surprised that there so many of them in a relatively small area. Most of the artisans and crafts people are from other parts of Japan who ended up in Niseko for similar reasons as I. I want to showcase their skills and spread the message to the world. I am happy that there are more participants, especially foreigners, participating at this year's exhibition. I hope to see more cultural exchange between Japanese and foreign participants so that we are able to build a stronger international craft network.

What can visitors expect to see from this year's exhibition?

More products, more participants and something for both Japanese and foreigners – young and old – alike. \\\

[The Niseko Craft Art Festival will be on from 4 – 13 October 2014 at Hotel Chalet Ivy. Exhibition hours: 10am – 6pm]

The Blue Triangle Society's first exhibition in Japan

It's official - The Blue Triangle Society's fine organic wearables will be exhibiting at Niseko Craft exhibition this October! 

Showing The Blue Triangle Society by Ellen Philpott-Teo's beautiful work to one Niseko Craft exhibtiion's directors Nobuhiro Ichimatsu last Thursday.

Shipment from The Blue Triangle Society arrived

A shipment of Organic Wearables - handmade organic dresses, crowls, scarfs and accessories by Ellen Philpott-Teo (Australia/Singapore) just arrived at our studio. Ellen's work is about tactile processes to understand time and space through her craft. Ellen work is lovingly crafted by hand and has no added chemicals. Ellen dyes her own yarn and fabric organically using dyeing process including solar dyeing (in jars) mordanting (in soy milk) with fruits, vegetables, tea and wine.

The Blue Triangle Society craftwork will be available at the exhibition and at Sanctuary Niseko Online Shop (launching soon!). 

Limited-edition explore Niseko t-shirts available soon!

Limited-edition Explore Niseko T-shirts (American-made T-shirts, printed in Japan)

10 pieces available. ¥3,950 each.

Email us to pre-order yours! International shipping available.

making kimono craft with Sachiko-san

21 August 2014 - We met at Sachiko's place and discussed the design for new silk kimono craft, and to collect the kimono-yukata skirt that has been specially crafted using vintage yukata kiji.

visit to Shinpui woodwork studio

We dropped in at Nobuhiro Ichimatsu's studio this afternoon for a little chat about our upcoming Niseko Craft exhibition in October this year. For this exhibition, we will be showcasing a special handlebar made from Hokkaido wood.

first project meeting with Sachiko-san

Thursday, 7 August 2014

Sachiko-san showing us her Kimono craft collection and explaining to us the different types of Kimono fabric she uses. All of the kimono fabric are pre-loved/recycled, and she's giving them a new lease of life through her craft.

(Thanks for the help with the translation, Brook!)