Once grown for shiitake mushroom cultivation, Kunugi oak from Kyushu finds a new purpose in furniture crafted in Okawa, connecting the forest’s story with everyday life.

As the number of shiitake growers has declined, some Kunugi trees have remained unused, growing too large for mushroom cultivation. Turning them into furniture presents its own challenges: the wood is hard and heavy, and careful processing is needed to manage warping and twisting.

“We want to make good use of the trees that have been grown, and help keep the forest’s cycle going.” This wish inspired an approach that combines a lightweight core of Japanese cedar or hinoki cypress with hard, richly grained Kunugi oak on the surface. By bringing together the strengths of different woods, craftspeople create furniture made to be used and enjoyed for years.

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