Our Mission
Making Kumiko is for everyone!
Hi, My name is Ryo Kaneko. I am originally from Japan, and now based in Adelaide, South Australia. I am a designer and maker of original furniture and wood products.
I came to Australia in 2012 from Tokyo. In Tokyo, I studied interior design and worked in kitchen design and construction management.
While working as a woodworker in Australia, I had the opportunity to look at Japanese design in a new light and started designing with Kumiko. Kumiko is a traditional Japanese craft, but its geometric patterns and linear design elements shine through in Western design styles. I put some photos of my works here. Above all, Kumiko is a combination of puzzle, craft and art, as it is made up of many small parts that are machined and fitted together. In addition to the joy of making and creating, we find the process of making Kumiko, with its precise repetition of refined steps, to be a Zen-like experience, akin to meditation.
I want to create an environment where anyone can enjoy the fascinating world of Kumiko just as you enjoy a hobby like knitting or drawing. I want Kumiko to be something that anyone can do, anywhere, anytime, without the need for specialised tools. Let's enjoy Kumiko together!
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Ryo Kaneko