InsightKogei Articles

We share a variety of information and perspectives on Japanese crafts, including exhibition information and interviews.

Exhibition Information

To Exhibitions

Takeshi Kanda

神田 剛志
JOINED
2009
BASED IN
Gifu Prefecture
BIRTHPLACE
Tokyo
BORN
1982
ROLE
Product developer

I want to connect with society through manufacturing.

Mr. Kanda was born in Tokyo and his interest in manufacturing was naturally developed through the influence of his father who ran a press factory. Even as a high school student he had already decided that he wanted to be involved in the product development of wooden manufacturer. Mr. Kanda says that when he thinks about the future, he wants to connect with society through manufacturing. After graduating, he studied industrial design and gained experiences in the repairing and reupholstery of antique furniture. In 2009 he joined Hida Sangyo in Gifu Prefecture. At first, he was in charge of the manufacturing of custom-made order, and subsequently, he moved to the development division which was what he had wanted to do all along. Currently, Mr. Kanda is engaged in the prototyping and development of new products. He is also involved in the development of furniture using compressed Japanese cedar, which is a special technique of the company. In the development division, there are few opportunities to talk with the customers directly, so the imagination is essential. Mr. Kanda said, “We are doing our best everyday”. He constantly thinks about what type of furniture does society need. “Everyone is putting in 120 percent of effort but is there another one percent that he could add to it”, wonders Mr. Kanda. There is passion for manufacturing in his words.

SHARE WITH

KOGEI STANDARD

Editorial Team

KOGEI STANDARD is a cultural online media introducing Japanese crafts to the world which include ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, woodworking, glass and many more.