The technology of mageki which is benting the wood was invented in 1800 by Michael Thonet (1796~1871). He utilized the property of woods, which is not to return the bentwood once put pressure on it. The Mageki furniture has a beautiful curve due to the technology of boiling wood and bending it with a metallic mold. The mageki-kagu does not waste wood so much rather than the ordinal technique which is whittling wood. The foundation of Mageki Furniture Company dates back to 1910. At that time, Western furniture skills were recommended. Akita, where Beech and Oak were abundant materials, founded a place to produce such furniture, later becoming Akita Mokko. As mass production became the demand in the Showa period, making Mageki furniture was considered time-consuming and inefficient, as it required time to train and learn the techniques. This led to a rapid decline of such craftsmen. Today, Akita Mokko is the only factory in the country that possesses the skills to produce the three-dimensional curving technique.
<Manufacturing process>
1. Jiku(治具)
Jiku is an essential tool to be used when bending wood to produce the Mageki furniture. Not everyone is able to make well-rounded furniture that would fit our body. Each of the product is handmade by specialists who have been approved to have with the outstanding skill from the prefectural governor. They first take the cast of the product, forming the curved line with a specialized machine to hit the iron little by little to produce a beautiful curve.
2. Mageki(曲木)
The process of curving utilizes the characteristics of trees, such that they never change shape after being pressured by power. They steam the wood by exposing the object to about 100 degrees Celsius for an extended period of time to contain moisturize the wood to bend along with the mold. Five minutes is the only time they have to complete the work since the wood will shortly dry out.
Two people do the job, paying attention to the balance of the object. They never do the work with force, rather "communicate" with the wood to continue the process.
3. Sessaku(切削)
After desiccating the material to which the bending process has been applied, they start shaving down the abstract shape of the furniture. Mortis and tenon joints are made during this process as well.
4. Kenma(研磨)
Kenma is done to round of the angular shapes of the wood, and at the same time adjust the angles of the curved parts to fit the desired shape. Slight scratches and dents caused during the wood-curving process are also repaired simultaneously. The craftsmen uses several types of Nankin-kanna to create a beautiful curve, again, all work done by his hand. After, the craftsman uses his whole body sliding the long piece of a material to file and polish. Every touch is delicate and gentle, creating an exquisite and delicate curve.
5. Toso(塗装)
This is the last part of the process: coating the chair. Not only do they coat the product, but they also check whether there are any small dents, scratches, or distortions. Coating is not finished at once; painting and polishing is repeated. Polishing by hand twice during this process produces a nice color and a smooth texture. The coating also requires the skill of the craftsmen. If the coating is too thin, it leaves a rough texture. If it is too thick, the paint will drip, destroying the appearance. After painting, the seat and back are upholstered before completion.
Introduction of the process of making the furniture, explained in Japanese subtitles.
Akita Mokko offers the opportunity to observe the process of making Mgeki-kagu. The cost is free and the time is between 8:15 am-5:15 pm, reservation needed.
Akita Mokko, AKIMOKU
Kawamae-117 Sekiguchi, Yuzawa, Akita 012-0862
1h 15min by car from Akita station
Take an Ou line train from Akita station to Yuzawa station for 1h 45min. Walk for 30min.
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