ink black furniture series by FIL references japanese tradition of annual grassland burning

japanese interior and lifestyle brand FIL has introduced the ‘MASS series SUMI LIMITED’ furniture line. the collection’s ink black color, as well as its overall design, draws inspiration from the dark natural landscape of aso city, in japan, after the annual grassland burning – called noyaki (野焼き). 

all images courtesy of FIL 

the furniture series by FIL, features a contrast between different materials, combining a steel frame with charred cedar, referring to the dark color of the burnt grasslands. the project was conceived with an aim to gain a deeper understanding of noyaki, a long tradition serving as one of the mainstays of aso’s scenery. the collection expresses the unique aso experience, where people and nature co-exist and press on together in a majestic, yet harsh volcanic environment, along with the seeds of life sprouting from the black world of noyaki. 

the clean-cut design with the smoothly planed cedar and elegantly prepared steel frame, urges the observer to touch and feel the pieces. the unique texture created by charred cedar is given through a traditional method of cedar processing which results in durability of furniture. the technique involves skills and experience in order to bring out cedar’s defined grains just right. the furniture line is limited to 25 units sold annually. the number is based on the 25 oguni cedar saplings which were granted for forest growth, during the edo period (1603 – 1868). 

project info:

name: MASS series SUMI LIMITED
designer: FIL 

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom