Down the centuries in Japan, traditional dyeing methods such as kusaki-zome, and shibori-zome have been used to produce a wide variety of designs. More recently, one new product developed by a Japanese team won attention at the Milano Salone with unique dyed plastics, part of the next generation of dyeing techniques. Studio guest, artist Toru Ishii, uses traditional Japanese dyeing to create new works of modern art. Discover the world of Japanese dyeing!

Japan has always prized the concept of en. The word refers to the intangible connections that link people to one another, as well as to the events and objects around them, with every chance encounter seen as holding some significance. For centuries, the en implicit in lucky charms has been thought to bring fortune in business, or to prevent illness, while the engawa verandas of traditional Japanese homes are valued as a place where these fortuitous bonds are forged. Studio guest, design strategist Eisuke Tachikawa is our guide as we explore a new world of designs born from the concept of en.

With more and more foreign tourists coming to Japan, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, a pressing issue is creating smooth communication with visitors who speak a variety of different languages. At the same time, Japan's aging population has led to an increase in rates of hearing loss. This time, our guest is Shinichiro Nakaishi, a proponent of "universal sound design", which has applications to both these issues. Explore amazing new designs that promote communication through sound.