Hanpen Chair

A standard chair in continuous production since 1976. It was named after its seat, which looks as soft and rounded as hanpen, a pillowy Japanese fish cake.

The solid-wood seat is generous. It is easy to sit facing forward, and just as easy to shift and sit at an angle. The arm rests, which extend from the back, give the elbows a natural place to settle.

The chair shows the clean grain of Japanese chestnut. Chestnut carries small knots called habushi; pieces almost free of these knots and of discolouration can sometimes be made as a select grade.