Who are the people behind Interi-An, and why do we care so deeply about furniture made in Japan?

Who are the people behind Interi-An, and why do we care so deeply about furniture made in Japan?

When you order furniture from another country, you naturally want to know more than its dimensions and price. Who selected it? Where was it made? And who can you talk to if you have a question after it arrives?

We would like to introduce the people and the place behind our shop through a Japanese-language interview with Taiyo Tsutsumi, CEO of Okawa Kagu Dot Com, the company that operates Interi-An. The interview was conducted by Yuji Sakou, CEO of Yuhkinoine Co., Ltd.

Watch: Why We Care About Japanese-Made Furniture

From a Furniture-Making Town to Homes Around the World

Taiyo grew up in Okawa, a city in Fukuoka Prefecture with a long tradition of furniture making. As a child, he passed furniture workshops and woodworking businesses on his way to school. They were part of the everyday landscape.

Later, as imported furniture became more common and local businesses faced increasing competition, he began to wonder how that landscape could be preserved. He turned to online retail to introduce furniture made by craftspeople in the region to customers far beyond Okawa.

That purpose still guides our work today. Interi-An is the international store operated by Okawa Kagu Dot Com. While Okawa is at the heart of our story, we also work with furniture makers in other parts of Japan. Our commitment to Japanese-made furniture remains central to what we do.

What Makes Furniture Worth Keeping?

In the interview, Taiyo explains why a beautiful product photograph does not tell the whole story. The finish along the edge of a board, the internal construction of a cabinet, and the way its parts are joined can all reveal how a piece was made.

He also talks about choosing wood with everyday life in mind. Some species are softer and show marks more easily; others change color as they age. There is no single wood that is right for every home. Knowing the characteristics makes it easier to choose something you will enjoy living with.

Our team visits furniture exhibitions, examines products in person, and learns from customers' experiences after delivery. We believe that choosing furniture thoughtfully is just as important as presenting it attractively online.

Listening to Customers, Working with Craftspeople

One of the stories in the interview is about a chest developed with young children in mind, with rounded edges and drawers designed to move with some resistance. Another is a table created around a familiar family dilemma: how to put away a child's toys without destroying what they have built.

Not every idea becomes a successful product, and Taiyo speaks openly about the challenges. He also explains how connections with furniture makers can help customers explore size changes or custom-built pieces when standard dimensions are not quite right.

We Want You to Know Who You Are Buying From

Buying furniture online—especially internationally—takes trust. We try to show products as they really are through detailed descriptions, photographs, videos, and direct communication. We also believe that support after purchase matters for furniture intended to be used for many years.

Taiyo's long-term vision is to help Okawa become a furniture and interior-design destination known around the world: a place where people come to discover Japanese craftsmanship and where future makers come to learn.

We hope this interview gives you a clearer sense of our values, the people we work with, and the care behind the furniture we offer. Thank you for getting to know us.

Learn more: About Interi-An and our company · Explore Japanese furniture at Interi-An · Read the original interview in Japanese