Finnish design appeals to Japanese taste

Terry Ellis and Keiko Kitamura believe in timeless Nordic furnishings

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By Hannu Pöppönen
     
      Finland has established a considerable reputation in Japan. This is reflected in the increasing number of Japanese tourists on the streets of Helsinki, and also, for instance, in the new film Ruokala Lokki ("Kamome Diner") by Naoko Ogigami. The film, which is set in the Punavuori neighbourhood of Helsinki, has achieved cult status in Japan.
      Design brands such as Artek, Marimekko, and Iittala also have their ardent fans.
     
But there could be more, says Terry Ellis.
      "Finnish modern design is not as well known as that of the 1950s. There are many in Japan who are interested in it, and I would say that Finnish design is better-known than that of the other Nordic Countries, even though it is relatively insufficiently marketed."
      Ellis and his wife Keiko Kitamura have worked as buyers of Nordic furnishings for the Japanese Beams retail chain from the early 1990s. Beams has 62 stores in Japan, and the turnover of the chain is EUR 330 million a year.
      The two established a section for Beams which sells Nordic furniture.
      "It clearly has its place. Nordic design was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was replaced later by Italian furniture, for instance, which was seen to be more glamorous."
     
Ellis and Kitamura wanted to bring modern, timeless Nordic furniture to Japan - furniture whose manufacturing methods and basic form had remained unchanged. To that end, the designs of Alvar Aalto, which continue to be produced by the Korhonen furniture factory, were appropriate, in addition to the furniture of Arne Jacobsen and Bruno Mathsson.
      "It is not a huge business, but it is significant. For instance, during a period of a few months, we sold 50 Aalto stools upholstered with new cloth by Johanna Gullichsen, and 50 without upholstery."
     
Alvar Aalto continues to be the best-recognised Finnish designer name in Japan. Of the younger ones, Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen are known.
      Strong similarities are often seen between Japanese and Finnish design. Keiko Kitamura says that the greatest of these could be the economy in the use of material.
      "Both nations have also established an identity for themselves through their design objects", Ellis adds.
      In addition to new furniture, Ellis and Kitamura bring vintage works to Japan, such as the furniture of Ilmari Tapiovaara and Antti Nurmesniemi, as well as Finnish glass. They are bought by trend-conscious young collectors, who also buy new furniture, Ellis says.
      There are also older buyers for the new products. "They are people who are interested in design and architecture, who are familiar with Nordic design."
     
Currently Terri Ellis and Keiko Kitamura have brought an exhibition of Japanese design and handicraft to the Artek shop in Helsinki.
      The exhibition includes ceramic sculptures by Shinman Yamada, objects from the private collection of Ellis and Kitamura, and glass and Okinawan ceramic objects and furniture that are available for purchase.
      Included in the series is a stool originally designed by Tokukichi Kato in 1942, which recently came into production again.
     
The Beams Eye exhibition is open until October 28th at the Artek shop in Helsinki (Eteläesplanadi 18) Monday-Friday 10-18 and Saturday 10-16.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 27.9.2006


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Japanese movie audiences become familiar with land that created Moomins (29.8.2006)

HANNU PÖPPÖNEN / Helsingin Sanomat
hannu.popponen@hs.fi