Difference between styles: Japanese, Nordic and Scandinavian

Each culture has a different way of embodying design, comfort, art, and functionality. But are you familiar with the unique characteristics that set apart Japanese and Nordic furniture designs?

This article will discuss this fascinating topic that brings together two seemingly distant cultures, Japanese and Scandinavian.

Japan, a sublime combination of tradition and modernity

For centuries, Japan has captured the hearts and minds of people worldwide with its rich history, stunning art, magnificent architecture, unique cuisine, breathtaking nature and cutting-edge technology. The Land of the Rising Sun is a captivating country that beautifully blends ancient traditions with modern advancements.

Japan has a rich cultural heritage that has lasted for over a thousand years. The skilled craftsmanship of Japanese artisans has been raised to the level of art, with generations honing their skills. Their delicacy and precision in their work are nothing short of remarkable, making them the world's envy. Japanese carpentry ranges from simple to complex forms. The Japanese artisans have a different way of thinking about carpentry that goes beyond just building something. They believe in giving new life to the tree by crafting something that will last and be in harmony with the environment. This philosophical approach to their craft adds a special and unique allure to their work. It's truly inspiring to see how they honor nature through their artistry. Everything is meticulously measured to create a simple yet complex work, from the type of wood they use to complex assemblies with no nails or hardware obstructing the piece being built. The materials typically used are raw materials, light and sometimes dark woods, black lacquered, and primary colors in other cases.

Some examples of Japanese furniture

The Hiroshima chair, designed by Naoto Fukasawa for Maruni, is a clear example of both classic and contemporary carpentry in Japanese design. Naoto created this chair to show the honesty of the material using advanced technology such as multi-axis numerical control and completely handcrafted construction and detailing. The Hiroshima Chair is designed to honor antique chairs and has a welcoming appearance that encourages users to sit comfortably. That is achieved by the backrest angle, intended to embrace the user.

Another excellent example is the Sukoa Organiser by Keiji Ashizawa, designed for Frama, which takes inspiration from traditional Japanese boxes and is named "Sutoa," meaning "contain" in Japanese. Keiji, the architect behind Sutoa, utilizes electro-painted metal with a black powder coating and slightly straighter angles to create a discreet yet functional design that can store accessories. The handmade process and Japanese artistry are evident in the type of wood used, making Sutoa a versatile piece that can be used in any space.

The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi was and still is one of the most iconic furniture designs in the world. According to Yanagi, the gently arched silhouette of the two-seat pieces is reminiscent of a butterfly's wings in motion as it begins to fly. Over time, he designed an extraordinary amount of furniture and objects. Sori Yanagi's organically shaped designs combine industrial design with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Thus Sori Yanagi became one of the most significant Japanese designers, adding aesthetics as a fundamental principle.

The simplicity of Scandinavia's complexity

Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland) share similar climates and therefore use interior furnishings that help to create a warmer atmosphere. The popularity of Scandinavian design emerged during the 1950s after an exhibition was held in North America in 1954. However, its origins date back several years earlier, between the two world wars. Currently, Scandinavian furniture design emphasizes the functionality of its pieces. Scandinavian design is simple, aesthetic, and functional. It uses light woods such as oak, ash, maple, and birch and stains such as brown, blue, and green varnishes. It is also known for using a lot of leather and even natural fibers such as guaco. Marble and granite are sometimes used too.

Differences between Scandinavian and Japanese furniture deisgn

There are distinctive features of each of the styles, which, broadly speaking, could be summarized as follows:

Japanese designers often analyze the structure and construction methods for various items, ranging from chairs to houses. Conversely, Scandinavians prioritize the functionality of their pieces within a given space.

Scandinavians are more likely to use neat assemblies, while Scandinavians prefer complex ones.

The Nordic design emphasizes elegance by combining materials, whereas Japanese design takes more daring approaches to elevate the materials.

When it comes to textiles, the Japanese tend to favor fibers while Scandinavians often prefer fabric.

Some examples of Nordic furniture

The JWDA lamp designed by Jonas Wagell is popular due to its unique combination of materials, including concrete and brass. This lamp is currently one of the top-selling products from the Menu brand and is available in various material options. Jonas Wagell is a Swedish designer and architect known for his minimalist and peaceful design style.

The Wishbone chair, designed by Hans Wegner in 1949, is a classic piece of furniture. It incorporates a combination of materials such as paper cord and wood and features a beautifully curved backrest created using steam. Despite its complex design, it has stood the test of time and remains popular today.

The Y-shaped back of the Wishbone chair is the reason for its name. It requires 100 steps to craft these chairs.

Cecile Manz designed Plint for Takt, a very original coffee table, since it is a completely "flatpack" piece, thanks to the leather that connects three different wooden parts, using wedges as lateral supports that exert pressure and, consequently, make the table very rigid. Light leather, together with wood, is a typical Nordic combination.

Similarities

After learning about the main differences, let's explore some similarities between the two styles that result in the creation of stunning works of art. That is the case with three designers:

Chris Halstrom is a Danish designer fascinated by the Japanese style, so her works combine her style and narrative to create, for example, Vent for Skagerat, which follows a subtle combination of Danish design, because it's foldable, together with Japanese simplicity, because of the fibers she uses for the seat.

Norm Architects designed CT01 for Karimoku Case Study, a Japanese brand that creates together with architects to approach furniture design differently. Norm designed this table inspired by the shrines and temples found across the country and references them in different assemblies. Its marble tabletop hints at a Nordic touch.

The N01 chair by Nendo for Fritz Hansen is a clear example of both styles. Watching him design this chair is quite fascinating. Nendo typically creates products, but in that case he designed a chair which features a blend of Japanese and Danish design elements, including slim legs extending the chair's length and a plywood backrest and seat for added comfort.

Both styles prioritize maximum efficiency while using minimal amounts of wood or other renewable materials, making it essential to respect the materials used.

The designs from Nordic and Japanese cultures have a minimalist appearance, intricate details, and shapes that reflect their surroundings.

Both styles use technological processes such as CNC machining on several axes to shape and add details to the furniture. Still, Japanese styles are characterized by the fascination with doing things manually as much as possible without relying on more complex technology. Nordic design often incorporates light wood materials like holm oak, ash, and birch, typically paired with black tones. Japanese design relies on darker woods such as walnut or oak-stained black.

Fabrics and textiles play a crucial role in ensuring user comfort in fashion, but Japanese styles incorporate traditional elements like fibers to add an extra touch.
Nordic design assemblies are known for their elegant and intricate joineries, including half-lap, mortise, and tenon techniques. However, the Japanese have been using these techniques to build houses for a long time, and their skill in joining pieces is admirable.

We have put together a list of designers for both styles that we believe you'll find interesting. We provide links to their pages and interviews to help you become more familiar with them.

Norm Architects
Norm Architects is a Danish architecture and interior design firm.
Website

Frama Copenhagen
Frama Copenhagen is a brand from Denmark that values the importance of respecting materials.
Website

Hans Wegner
Check out this video showcasing the production process of the iconic Wishbone chair designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son:
"The Wishbone Chair by Hans J. Wegner"

Japanese designers
Here are some of the top Jaoanese designers:

Kobeomsuk Furniture
Watch this video on Japanese furniture manufacturers:
YouTube channel

Oki Sato
Below are two interviews featuring Oki Sato, the founder of Nendo, conducted by GQ and Braun.
"Japanese designer Oki Sato on his playful approach to design | Braun | British GQ."
"Meet Oki Sato, designer of the N01 ™ | Fritz Hansen"

Karimoku Case Study
Explore the website of this Japanese brand that partners with Nordic architects to create their products:
Website

Ariake
This website showcases a Japanese brand with a distinct style that you may find inspiring:
Website

Nordic Furniture Design with Wood: online course by José Bermúdez

If you share our fascination for furniture design, check out José Bermúdez's fantastic course: Nordic Furniture Design with Wood, where you will discover how to design objects that are both timeless and versatile.