This stool, made using nothing more than a single length of paper cord and Japanese lacquer, is the result of an exploration into new possibilities for stool design through the process itself.
Widely used in traditional crafts, Japanese lacquer has long served not only as a natural adhesive, but also as a decorative finish prized for its beauty. By applying and polishing dozens—or even over a hundred—layers of lacquer, both durability and aesthetic richness can be achieved. One technique involves layering different colored lacquers and then sanding the surface to reveal subtle patterns that emerge from within the layers.
In this piece, both the adhesive strength and the expressive potential of lacquer are fully utilized. A single layer of paper cord is wrapped around a mold and coated with numerous layers of lacquer, each carefully polished. Through this process, the cord is solidified into a durable structure, combining strength with a visually rich surface.

Production: Natsumi KOMOTO
Photography: Visvaldas Morkevicius