JETRO, Culled

The Japanese have long held a powerful, if remote, sway over the design world. Lately, the country’s lucid, often delightful forms have felt more relevant than ever. And with Muji stores finally cropping up on our shores, North Americans have even been able to indulge in a fair dose. But the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) would like people to know there’s more to the national œuvre than clean lines and good prices. At this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the group is showing 121 products that represent the concept of kansei, which refers to both the physical and spiritual qualities that give an object its character. “These are products in which the manufacturers’ sensibilities are successfully communicated to the user, thus creating a sympathetic resonance between the two,” says Masato Inuyama, the director of inter­national exhibitions for JETRO. Here are eight of our favorites.