Furniture has a huge variety of operations and uses: sitting, relaxing, sleeping, eating, thinking, writing and drawing, closing, cleaning... At the same time, we must think about how it fits near us. In terms of space, we must consider not only reason and convenience, but also how it changes the meaning and value of a space. For me, I think about the furnishings inside a space a great deal, and about how furniture can enliven or kill a space; I find it a truly difficult but interesting issue.

I make interesting furnishings with Shigeki Miyamoto of Minerva. The two of us are always striving to go beyond the familiar domain of furniture. Using the hide of Hokkaido's overabundant Yezo deer, we made large deer hide cushions to place around the hearth. When people snuggle down and relax in these cushions, it's oddly like a herd of deer gathering around the fire.

What's more, we also made stuffed animal sofas mimicking Okhotsk animals for the Okhotsk Treatment Spa. It truly is adorable, enjoyable work. I hope to keep making strange, personal furniture as we go forward.