Bentwood from Hyogo

Masahiro Goto creates beautiful bentwood furniture, but what caught my attention was the technique he uses to dye green alder black. It turns out that this type of wood turns black when it comes into contact with iron. He intensifies this effect by using wine vinegar and a few drops of a Japanese black calligraphy ink. No chemicals, no nails or screws, are being used to join the pieces of wood. The natural effect of its staining leaving the grain of the wood visible is just stunning. The chairs that Masahiro Goto creates are literally like brush strokes of calligraphy. Applied art with a capital A.