Behind the scenes: Cranes over Mt Fuji Act III

In 2023, we received a European Product Design Award for our Walnut Wooden Brush Holder, the version with the sliding compartments. This piece is part of our permanent collection, and we do our best to bring it back in stock whenever possible. It was crafted by Mr. Kazuma Iwata, and almost every year, we work together on a new project that highlights the beauty of woodworking and craftsmanship.

At the end of last year, we thought we would present the latest fruit of this collaboration, the the Cranes over Mount Fuji Act III brush holder to the EPDA jury. We received the brush holder days before the registration deadline and were able to enter it. A few months later, in January we were delighted to receive the news that it had won in its category.

These are really important moments for us because we are a very small company and to receive this recognition helps us tremendously for the future. For this reason, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the EPDA Jury and to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for always supporting us, encouraging us and understanding the work and the effort that is done behind the scenes.

To mark this moment, Beautylish prepared a little interview addressed to the manufacturers behind our wooden brush holders – same as we did with the Traditions Kakishibu brushes. I hope this gives you a little more information about the people we work with, and for those of you who are new here, I hope this helps you learn a little bit more about us.

For all the details about this brush holder, please read the full post here.

INTERVIEW WITH MR KAZUMA IWATA

What was your first reaction when Sonia shared the idea for a brush holder inspired by Mount Fuji?

It was a very challenging project, and since we had been envisioning a hybrid structure combining metal and wood for some time, we were very excited to see it become a reality.

What details in the brush holder feel most meaningful to you?

While maintaining a sense of openness and lightness in the design, it was important to create a form that conveyed the flowing movement of clouds through stainless steel. The fusion with wood also required a careful overall design balance, and one of the key points was ensuring that the piece would not appear visually heavy, despite the use of stainless steel.

In addition, creating the proper molds and structure to combine wood and metal was extremely important, and assembling the piece required very precise calculations. Even the slightest misalignment would affect the beauty of the final result, so we paid close attention to every detail throughout both the design and finishing processes.

What does Mount Fuji represent to you personally?

Of course, it is known as Japan’s highest mountain, but even more than that, the way it suddenly rises into the sky leaves a strong impression.
As one of the mountains that has been depicted throughout Japanese history and loved by many people for generations, we feel both its beauty and strength.

Was there a particular emotion you wanted the finished piece to create when someone places it on their vanity?

With its refined presence and carefully crafted details, we hope people can enjoy their daily makeup while imagining the beauty of Japanese scenery and aesthetics.

Rather than feeling like the start of an ordinary day, we hope it helps create the feeling that each day can become something special.

What did it mean to see this object recognized in the EPDA Wellness and Beauty: Other Designs category?

It is truly a great honor for us. Being chosen from among so many products makes us feel that our values and purpose are being recognized.

We also feel that it encourages the curiosity and creative direction of our entire team, including Sonia and myself, and gives us confidence to continue moving forward.

What are you proudest of in this piece?

We are proud of every aspect of it. Of course the design itself is important, but what we are especially proud of is the time spent exchanging ideas and exploring craftsmanship together with Sonia and the artisans throughout the creation process.

What makes Sonia’s approach different from other beauty brands you have collaborated with?

Sonia is always trying to deeply understand our approach to craftsmanship. She speaks with us as an equal partner, and because of that, our conversations are always focused on the future and on creating smiles and joy for many people through our work.

Was there a moment during production when you knew the piece had become something special?

When we first saw the fusion of metal and wood come together, it gave us a very special feeling. It was the moment when all of the careful calculations and attention to detail finally came to life. At the same time, while the design carries a sense of playfulness, the practical aspects were also carefully refined, which made the final result feel truly unique and special.

How do you hope customers feel when they use or display these pieces?

Mount Fuji shows many different expressions depending on the location, time of day, and season from which it is viewed. We hope this brush holder can similarly become a piece that allows each person to enjoy their own unique scenery and world through it.

The interchangeable parts inspired by the moon and the sun allow users to create different expressions depending on their mood or space. We would be happy if people could enjoy imagining, “What kind of landscape does it look like today?” as part of their daily routine.

In addition, the partially see-through design allows the handles of your makeup brushes to remain visible, so we hope users can enjoy the colors and designs of their own brushes and feel a sense of something special in their everyday lives.

How do you feel when traditional Japanese techniques travel into homes around the world through beauty objects?

We are truly very happy and grateful. We have created many different works together with Sonia, and we are also deeply thankful to Beautylish for providing an opportunity for so many people to experience and use them.
Every time we see the wonderful comments and reactions to these creations, it further motivates and inspires our passion for craftsmanship.

We would be very happy if people continue to take an interest in and follow our future creations as well.
We will never become fully satisfied with our current work, and will continue striving to create pieces that can inspire and move people.

Unfortunately this brush holder is sold out at the moment but we are considering a very small restock in the future for those who missed it and who would be interested in getting one in the future.

Thank you for reading this interview, for your constant support, and for the beautiful connection we share, it’s what makes this entire journey feel truly extraordinary to me.