How would you describe your design philosophy?
Design is an act of creating possibilities. I’m trying to expand the possibilities of everything: about technology, history, material capacity and our way of living. As a designer, I try to find the best solution [for every project]. [To me], design is [about providing] variety and diversity. When the concept is clear, I think that it is beautiful.

How does your Japanese heritage influence your work?
When I’m not making references to the physicality of Japanese craft—such as washi paper and Japanese ink—I like to emphasise the materiality of things. If I use a beautiful material, I don’t want to paint a colour over it, if possible. I grew up in Osaka, but as a child, I would often go back to Okinawa in the summer to visit my grandmother. Okinawa has a very tropical climate, I love it; it is a place deeply touched by nature, which is completely different from Osaka. Nature is amazing, and this feeling is something you can forget while living in the city, and Okinawa is the best place to go back to nature. As soon as I arrive in Okinawa, the smell of the sea is lovely, and I feel happy. In fact, the [form of the] B&B Italia Lemante tables is inspired by the manta rays that I remember seeing as a child swimming in the sea. For me, nature in my memory is [associated with] the sea and sun; the sea especially is always so beautiful but also dangerous. I always have in my mind the blue sea, the corals, and the many scents in the forest, from the density of the jungle to the animals and fruits.

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How did your collaboration with B&B Italia come about?
It’s one of the biggest companies in the world, and it’s always been a company I wanted to work with. I approached them to discuss a collaboration, and last year, we started working together. The B&B Italia team asked me to design low tables. They invited me to their headquarters to discuss their production methods, and we talked about the areas in which we could work together in terms of manufacturing processes. I felt very motivated to give my best response, as soon as I came back to my office [after that meeting], I started to work on the table design.

I wanted a seamless frame as I wanted to make the design look very light. That was my concept for Lemante. This way, it also emphasises the material of the table top. The material should be thin and delicate to emphasise its geometric design. I wanted to make it as thin as possible, and this was the maximum thinness we could have [in order] to support the glass top. At B&B Italia, the research and development team is so efficient and ahead of the curve, and they have a long history of projects with different designers in the last 50 to 60 years. Whenever we have problems we can talk, our work is very synergistic and it’s a very pleasant collaboration. The colours I chose were selected from B&B Italia’s colour palette, and the red makes the design pop. Each client can choose a combination of colours and materials that best matches their wall colour; this offers more room for choices and customisation.

Is there a material you are most interested in right now, and why?
Aluminium, as it can be recycled and does not use a lot of energy for recycling. For instance, I presented new Ambientec lamps made with recycled aluminium and recyclable aluminium at the Euroluce lighting segment of the Salone del Mobile 2023 fair. You don’t need much energy [to produce them], and this helps to reduce the company’s overall energy consumption.

What keeps you inspired?
Everyday life, people, friends, family, nature, sports and food. I do a lot of swimming, yachting and cycling; I love being surrounded by nature. I’m interested in good food, especially when the fresh produce is respected and the recipe is very deeply rooted in history and local culture. Whenever I find diversity, it [inspires] a moment of creativity.

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