Ask the Master #1 cocoda chair
KOMA's signature piece, the cocoda chair , has won 13 design awards both in Japan and overseas.
Furniture craftsman Matsuoka uses his experience and skills to create the perfect seating comfort that allows you to sit for long periods of time in any position, carving out blocks of solid wood using Japanese hand tools such as planes and swords.
When you actually lean your body against the seat and top rail, the wood feels so soft and comfortable. Everyone is surprised by the difference from the preconceived notion that wooden chairs are hard, and they can't help but exclaim "Wow!" and relax. Its organic and beautiful form also exudes a dignified presence, and its appeal makes you imagine where in the room you could use this chair and for what purpose.
I asked the boss a few more questions about what this cocoda chair means to him.
How the cocoda chair was born
Ever since my apprenticeship, I have always wanted to make an armchair, and I have always wondered what a comfortable armchair would be made from hard, unyielding wood.
What you're looking for is a comfortable seat.
I think of a chair as the smallest amount of personal space a human being has. An armless chair is a tool for sitting, and an armchair is space. I've started to think about the activities and lifestyles that take place in that space. Armchairs have a large surface area that comes into contact with the body, so it's not just the back that comes into contact with them, but the position, height and angle of where you place your elbows are also important. Having arms means you can lean on them and change your position more easily.
The reason why we chose wood is that although there are many modern materials, they will one day become outdated. However, wood is an unchanging material that never gets old. It can remain good in any era.
Cocoda has evolved little by little over the years to take on this shape, and we have come a long way when it comes to carved chairs like this.
I think the current cocoda is close to being complete.
What do you think is the most amazing thing about the Cocoda Chair?
No matter how you sit, it's comfortable.
This was achieved with hard wood. How can we achieve this with hard wood? Through carving and shaping. Everything about the design has meaning, from the angle to the feeling of twisting from the back to the elbows . You can slide your back and lean your body anywhere without feeling uncomfortable.
When do you sit on your cocoda chair at home?
Originally, I tried not to sit on the chairs I made at home because I wanted to get used to different chairs and my body would only know my own chair. But in the end , it's so comfortable that I always end up sitting on it .
Where in your home would you like to place the Cocoda chair?
I want to put it in the center of my life. Right now, it's the place where I eat. It's also where I draw, drink, and read.
The cocoda chair is always on display at the Suginami main store and Aoyama store.
Please come to our store to try out the seating comfort.
If you are far away, please feel free to contact us by phone, Line, email, etc.!
Also, what are the types of cocoda chairs and how do you choose them? Please also refer to this .
(KOMA shop Mari Hirayama)
■ Suginami main store
Address: 1F, 1-24-10 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 167-0043
TEL: 03-6383-5585
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays Business hours: 10:00-17:00
■Aoyama Branch
Address: 2-11-16 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061
TEL: 03-6434-0023
Closed: Irregular Business hours: 11:00-18:00
When you actually take a seat in this chair, it is comfortable in a way that the wood feels almost soft on your body, and you would be amazed at how different it is from it's appearance.
Also, the organic form of the chair gives distinguished presence that makes you wonder where it would shine the most in your room.
We asked Master Matsuoka some questions about this chair.
How did the whole idea of cocoda chair came about?
I wanted to make an armchair, and how to make a comfortable chair with materials like solid wood that is hard and non-stretchable was always on my mind, so I kept on making it.
The only thing I'm aiming for is comfortability, always has been COMFORTABILITY. I think chair is the smallest personal space. While armless chair is a tool to sit on, armchair is a space. I started thinking about how to move and live in that space. Armchairs have more surfaces that touch your body, so the position, height and angle of elbows are as important as where your back hits. The arms enables you to rest on your elbows and then you could change positions more.
Why I use wood is that there are all sorts of new materials around, but that would one day become outdated. But wood is an invariant material, so it would never get old.
cocoda chair has been transformed little by little to present style, and I don't think there is much to alter anymore. Right now, I feel that cocoda is almost at its perfection.
What is great about cocoda chair?
It's the comfortability. It's comfortable in any position you sit, how you sit. And how I made that possible in wood. How you make that happen with a hard material like wood, is the carving and the shaping. Every Angle and the complex inclination from the back to elbows all have a meaning. Every shaping has its meaning. You could slide your back and lean anywhere without any discomfort.
When do you sit on your cocoda chair at home?
Basically, I'm sitting on it all the time. Initially, I tried not to sit on my chair, because I want to feel other chairs and don' t want my body to only know my own. But it's so comfortable to resist.
Where do you want to place your cocoda chair?
I want to place it in the center of my daily life. Where I eat is where that is right now, and its where I draw, drink at the end of the day, and read.
cocoda chairs are on display at both of our stores, so please come and visit.
For any inquiries, contact us at info@koma-shop.jp