Ota City Artisan Spotlight: Custom Furniture Maker Kazumi Matsuura

2026年3月26日2026年3月30日

Ota City Artisan Spotlight: Custom Furniture Maker Kazumi Matsuura

This time, I would like to introduce an artisan from Ota City—Ms. Kazumi Matsuura (Kazu Matsuura), a custom furniture maker and woodcraft artisan.

Originally from a different profession, she entered a vocational training school at the age of 30 and has since spent nearly 40 years working as a woodworker.

In an industry where tasks are often divided, she handles the entire process on her own—from design and lumber preparation to processing, assembly, and finishing.

I wondered if managing everything alone might be difficult, but she shared:
“In carpentry, the work is usually divided, but this way I can take responsibility for the entire process—it’s what makes it enjoyable.”

Nowadays, many furniture and household items are made from materials like plastic and are often treated as disposable.

However, wooden items grow more beautiful with use—their color deepens, and they become more meaningful over time, allowing them to be cherished for many years.
Even without buying new items, they can be restored and reused through refinishing or color adjustments.

I truly hope more people will spend meaningful time at home, surrounded by the warmth of wood and sharing special moments with their families.

Through my work in Japanese Culture Branding, I have the opportunity to collaborate with artisans like Ms. Matsuura. Moving forward, I plan to organize events and workshops to share the passion and dedication behind their craft.

I would be very happy if more people develop an interest in Japanese culture through these efforts.