Scandinavian design exhibition held at Takashimaya

Currently, the “Nordic Design Exhibition” is being held, starting with the Nihonbashi Takashimaya Main Store, to introduce beautiful Nordic designs and lifestyles. Ambassadors stationed in Japan from the four Nordic countries attended the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon together with Noritsugu Oda, who supervised the exhibition.

Nordic life is beautiful. Many people are fascinated by its excellent design. Then why is such a beautiful life realized in Northern Europe? Its origin lies in the idea that “beauty enriches life” advocated by Swedish social thinker Ellen Kay. This idea of Ellen Kay was later popularized by Gregor Paulson, from Kay’s native Sweden. At the same time, William Morris’s “Arts and Crafts Movement” arose in England, emphasizing handicrafts and increasing the movement to combine life and art.

Paulson advocated the idea of “seeking functionality and beauty in ordinary people in everyday life, not in the beauty of foreigners”. This idea spread further to Scandinavian countries, and excellent designers such as Danish designer Finn Juhl who led the realization of “beautiful living” appeared in Scandinavian countries.

The reason why the “beautiful life”, which is still highly regarded today, was realized in Northern Europe was due to this idea. The idea, which is still maintained in people and society, continues to evolve with the times. Currently, manufacturing in Northern Europe is carried out with an awareness of the user, living and social environment, and continues to lead the world in terms of environmental protection.

In this exhibition, you can see the history and evolution of the beauty of everyday life that the Nordic countries have pursued. Noritsugu Oda, who supervised the exhibition, is also known as a chair researcher, and has exhibited about 300 items from a collection of about 8,000 items.

By all means, I would like you to take this opportunity to see the thoughts and designs of the people of Northern Europe.

  • Tokyo : March 1, 2023 (Wednesday) → 21st (Tuesday / holiday)

Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. Main Building 8F Hall

Admission time: 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (closes at 7:30 p.m.) 

*Until 5:30 p.m. on the final day, March 21 (Tuesday/Holiday) (closes at 6:00 p.m.)

  • Nagoya : April 20, 2023 (Thursday) → May 7, 2023 (Sunday)

JR Nagoya Takashimaya 10th floor special venue

Admission time: 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (closes at 8:00 p.m.) 

*Until 4:30 p.m. on May 7(Sunday), (closes at 5:00 p.m.)

  • Osaka : August 9th (Wednesday) → 20th (Sunday), 2023 Osaka Takashimaya 7th Floor Grand Hall

Admission time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 7:00 p.m.) *Until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 20 (closes at 5:00 p.m.)

Ambassadors to Japan from four Scandinavian countries and chair researcher Noritsugu Oda attended the opening ceremony held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya Main Store.
Ambassadors to Japan from four Scandinavian countries and chair researcher Noritsugu Oda attended the opening ceremony held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya Main Store.

Ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony

(from left)

H.E.Ms.Inga M. W. Nyhamar Ambassador of Norway to Japan 

H.E.Mr. Peter Taksøe-Jensen Ambassador of Denmark to Japan

Noritsugu Oda (Furniture Designer, Chair Researcher, Professor Emeritus, Tokai University)

H.E.Mr.Pereric Högberg Ambassador of Sweden to Japan 

H.E. Mrs. Tanja Jääskeläinen Ambassador of Finland to Japan 

Works by Finnish designer Oiva Toikka, also known as Iittala designer
Works by Finnish designer Oiva Toikka, also known as Iittala designer

Oiva Toikka (Finland) “Birds” decorate the entrance.

Beautiful furniture unique to Scandinavia, where the idea of making everyday life beautiful is widely held.
Beautiful furniture unique to Scandinavia, where the idea of making everyday life beautiful is widely held.
A ceramic plate named "Ginger Cookies"(Front)  by ceramic artist Stig Lindberg
A ceramic plate named “Ginger Cookies”(Front) by ceramic artist Stig Lindberg

Stig Lindberg, Sweden

ginger cookie series

prototype

Ceramic sculpture “Springale (Horse)”

Coffee service set SA

Pungo

A chair with beautiful curvaceous “Nordic” beauty and functionality
A chair with beautiful curvaceous “Nordic” beauty and functionality

(From Left)

Plywood chair, Grete Jalk, Denmark

Scimitar Chair, Jorgen Castholm Preben, Fabricius Denmark

Armchair, Ole Wanscher, Denmark

Racket chair, Helge Vestago Jensen, Denmark

Finn Juhl's representative works of modern Danish furniture design are also on display.
Finn Juhl’s representative works of modern Danish furniture design are also on display.

(Front) Butterfly table, Finn Juhl, Denmark

(Upper) VL45 Radio House Pendant, Wilhelm Lauritzen, Denmark

(3rd Left) Chief Tin Chair, Finn Juhl, Denmark

(2nd Left) Whiskey chair, Finn Juhl, Denmark

(Left) Grove chest, Finn Juhl, Denmark

【関連記事】

Fin Juhl and The Danish Chairs

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