Exterior of Standard Trade Yokohama Yamate Shop
"Consistently doing the basics exceptionally well."
If there's one phrase that best describes Kenichiro Watanabe, president of Standard Trade Co., Ltd., this might be it. However, his "basics" are set to an incredibly high standard.
He creates furniture and spaces primarily using oak wood and traditional joinery techniques, engages in the repair, restoration, and reconstruction of historic furniture, and articulates his philosophy through words. A strong, unwavering core underpins his diverse activities.
Fewer lines, yet a lingering atmosphere
The four hand-drawn pieces provided to a good view convey something more than just the "form" of furniture. The grounding of chair legs, the lines of the floor, the use of negative space. While there are few descriptive lines, the viewer naturally gets a sense of "sitting here" or "passing through here."
This is likely not just due to drawing skill, but comes from how he perceives the actual site. Dimensions, fittings, textures, tool movements—the perspective of someone who thoroughly thinks things through before creating is directly reflected in these lines. All of these are hand-drawn sketches of designs by Mr. Watanabe himself, so it's natural that the drawings appear as an "extension of the design" when considered this way.
Standard items are "unavoidable" designs
STANDARD TRADE. was established in 1998. It consistently upholds the principle of creating simple, long-lasting furniture and spaces using traditional Japanese joinery techniques, and providing "high-quality furniture for general residences."
The term "standard" can sometimes seem like a defensive stance. However, Mr. Watanabe's standard items seem to exist not for defense, but for responsibility. To be used for a long time, repaired, and used again. Only when this premise is considered does a design become truly "unavoidable" in its meaning.
Experience in repair enhances precision in creation
Mr. Watanabe has been involved in the repair, restoration, and reconstruction of historically significant furniture, including the restoration of furniture from Frank Lloyd Wright's Old Imperial Hotel and Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan, and the reconstruction of Lafcadio Hearn's favorite desk and chair.
Restoration and reconstruction work involves understanding the rationality of the time, the characteristics of the materials, and even the reasons for damage. It's an experience that expands the creator's imagination to encompass "time." It's no coincidence that Mr. Watanabe's works and drawings evoke a sense of time within their negative space, thanks to such experiences.
This attitude also extends to his private life. Mr. Watanabe carefully maintains and continues to drive classic cars like the Volvo 240 Estate and the first-generation Range Rover. Rather than replacing something new when it breaks, he invests time in deepening the relationship. This somehow overlaps with his approach to furniture.
Mr. Watanabe's beloved car, a VOLVO 240 Estate
Artisans who can articulate can pass on their skills to the future
Mr. Watanabe appears on the YouTube program "Kagu to Kenchiku to" (Furniture and Architecture), and is also involved in education as a part-time lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Kanagawa University. The quality of his lectures has been objectively recognized. When an award was established to honor instructors who gave excellent lectures, he was brilliantly selected as one of 12 lectures from among 8,000. He can not only create but also articulate. That ability is recognized in this way.
He is actively involved outside his craft, including providing advisory services to companies. If one can only create, skills tend to become individualized. Those who can articulate can share. The ability of those in the field to verbalize their work has an unexpectedly significant power in passing on skills to the future.
One month of continuous vacation strengthens the organization
STANDARD TRADE. has a system of one month of continuous vacation once a year. Some staff go on overseas trips, while others try part-time jobs in completely different fields. The usage varies, but each staff member utilizes it in their own way as time for refreshment and re-learning.
Creating time to step away to ensure long-term work. This also seems connected to Mr. Watanabe's philosophy of making things last.
Standards that permeate the entire workplace
He has a wonderful smile, is an excellent speaker, and is a master at enjoying life, yet he is strict when it comes to work. To my knowledge, all the past staff members I've known have been the same, with excellent organization and tidiness even on the factory floor, and their uncompromising attitude is directly reflected in the products. I believe this is not by chance, but because the standards are passed down through people.
I feel that STANDARD TRADE.'s strength lies not only in the quality of its designs and products, but also in "standards permeating the entire workplace." It's not difficult to tidy up only what's visible. Only organizations where even the invisible parts of the workplace are organized can continuously produce consistent quality.
And "consistently doing the basics exceptionally well"—because that standard is extraordinarily high, it might actually be the most rare quality.
Mr. Watanabe, who also works as a ski instructor in Nagano on his days off. He works hard and enjoys life thoroughly.
Click here for Mr. Watanabe's works
