Where ideas take form

The Kizuna Hitsche project began with a singular intention: to forge lasting links between Germany and Japan through the lens of design and craftsmanship.

Our recent trip to Japan was a profound immersion –
a quest for inspiration that we found in the quiet elegance of traditional architecture, the meticulous detail of workshops, and the vibrant spirit of cultural exchange.

And it all began with a humble wooden stool…

Seating, in its many forms, is a universal thread in human culture, yet each region imbues it with unique meaning and design. We set out to explore Japan's rich tradition of stool and chair-making, eager to uncover that distinct Japanese design DNA. What we found was an unexpected and beautifully symmetrical revelation: a tradition heavily influenced by European design that arrived on Japanese shores more than a century ago. Japan, with its deep history of floor-level sitting, had consciously incorporated European seating concepts and reinterpreted them with its own incredible precision and aesthetic.

This discovery became the true heart of our "Kizuna" mission. It highlighted the historical dialogue between our continents and the power of cultural exchange to spark innovation. Now, more than a century later, it was our turn to travel to Japan, not just to learn, but to bring inspiration back to Europe – to see how Japanese artisans had reimagined those imported ideas and how their unique attention to detail could influence our own creations.

Every encounter, from bustling Tokyo to the serene Kiso Valley, deepened our appreciation for the subtle harmonies that shape creative expression. We saw how the hidden parts of a piece are as meticulously crafted as the visible, a philosophy that resonates deeply with us. We observed echoes of ancient temple gates and traditional gables in modern furniture designs, proving that authentic inspiration is drawn from a full spectrum of cultural insights.

This page shares glimpses of this formative adventure, illuminating the complex path that led us to the Kizuna Hitsche – a humble piece of furniture born from a timeless intercultural conversation.

This project was made possible with the generous support of: