Washi is durable and long-lasting because the fibers are intertwined through the process of straining natural plant fibers. Compared to Western paper, washi has longer fibers; and it may be thin, but it is strong. Washi is characterized by its ability to produce various textures and aesthetics, depending on its place of origin and the techniques used. Washi is made up of three elements: the raw plant material, neri (a mucilaginous material), and water. The raw materials used for the fibers are mainly the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), kozo (paper mulberry), and the gampi tree, and the fibers are spread evenly by mixing them with neri, typically the tororo aoi plant (aibika). The most important factor is soft water with excellent transparency and low hardness. Washi can also be considered a natural material unique to Japan. Possessing outstanding longevity of more than 1,000 years in some cases, washi has been used to restore Japanese cultural properties, as seen in the Shosoin Repository; and has also been used since ancient times not only for calligraphy and paintings, Japanese umbrellas, and paper cloth, but also for a wide variety of crafts and fittings. In recent years, the demand for this natural material in interior spaces has been increasing owing to its low environmental impact and the renewed appreciation of how beautiful it appears when illuminated.

Urushi, natural coating friendly to both the environment and people, is believed to have first been used in Japan during the Jomon period, and by the Heian period, it was in widespread use in the interior decoration and furnishings of Buddhist temples and shrines. Urushi also became favored for use in the daily life of aristocrats as ornaments and tableware. After the Kamakura period, lacquerware was also used for samurai armor and other items. During the Edo period, lacquerware was produced throughout Japan, resulting in the rise of various lacquerware centers that include Wajima-nuri, Aizu-nuri, and Tsugaru-nuri. Urushi coatings are both tough and extremely flexible, and are more durable and superior to modern chemical coatings. It is resistant to acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols, and is also highly water-resistant, heat-insulating, and rot-resistant. The term lacquer-black is used to describe a deep, glossy black color, and is a perfect description of the characteristics of lacquer coating.
Urushi coating enhances in depth as time passes. The unique texture and the multitude of expressions created by skilled craftsmanship create a seemingly endless variation of surface finishes, giving spaces, furniture, and fixtures a craft art finish and adding a sense of luxury.

Bronze, iron, and other metalworking techniques were introduced to Japan from mainland China via the Korean Peninsula during the Yayoi period, and were used for a wide range of purposes, from bronze swords, armor, and ornaments to iron farming implements and daily tools. Skilled swordsmiths developed their skills in the forging of samurai swords and Japanese knives, and a variety of coloring techniques for copper and brass were developed in the production of Buddhist statues, leading to the development of metalworking in Japan. Beginning with gold, silver, copper, tin, and iron, the expansion of raw materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, combined with the development of techniques such as coloring and processing, resulted in the creation of building materials, fixtures, and products for a variety of uses, leveraging their unique characteristics. As the existence of the Japanese saying “tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute (Strike while the iron is hot)” suggests, metalworking has developed in tandem with Japanese culture.
There are various processing and finishing techniques such as casting, forging, carving, and coloring; and the handsome metallic luster and sharp surface texture produce a feeling of high quality. The high durability and inflammable nature of metal allow it to be used in a wide variety of interior spaces.

Ceramic art (pottery, tiles, and other fired ware), having been used since time immemorial to produce a variety of tools, spread from the end of the Heian period through the Kamakura period and was established with the development of culture from the Muromachi period onward. Ceramic clay is used as the raw material, shaped using a potter's wheel or mold, glazed, and fired. The color, pattern, and texture of the clay itself changes in various ways depending on its characteristics, color, and the glaze used, and the vitrification of the porcelain surface produces a glossy texture.
Ceramic art, which has developed not only as mere vessels but also as an expression of artistry and spirituality, has infinite variations depending on the painting technique, firing method, and glaze combination. It can be used not only for three-dimensional objects but also for two-dimensional forms with ceramic boards. It is possible to use ceramic for not only interior decoration, but also exterior applications such as roof tiles, which must be weather-resistant. In recent years, there has been a growing demand to use ceramics for interior accents with art panels and objets d'art that take full advantage of the appearance of the tiles, as well as with wall surface finishing that makes the most of the colors, patterns, and textures of ceramics.

Bamboo crafts, which are found throughout Southeast Asia, have been a familiar part of Japanese life since ancient times. Bamboo is light, flexible, strong, and does not expand or contract. It also possesses a certain aesthetic beauty in its knots that cannot be found in other woods. Bamboo is widely used as a material for various crafts and folk arts, such as bamboo fences for temples and shrines, tea ceremony utensils, baskets, colanders, wagasa (Japanese umbrellas), furniture, lighting, and more. It allows for a variety of artistic expression owing to the development of techniques such as splitting, bending, braiding, and weaving. In Kyoto, unique cultivation and processing methods have developed, and the bamboo is called Kyo-mei-chiku (Kyoto famous bamboo), which includes shira-take, goma-dake, zumen-kaku-chiku, and kikko-chiku (tortoise shell bamboo).
Bamboo has been a widely used and familiar building material in architecture and interior design since ancient times. From sharp and geometric to organic expressions, it allows variations to suit a multitude of uses and purposes.
Bamboo has gained renewed attention in recent years as a fast-growing, environmentally friendly natural material, and there are efforts underway to rehabilitate abandoned bamboo forests and use bamboo as a biomass feedstock. Bamboo is expected to be utilized more and more in order to realize a sustainable society that takes the natural environment into consideration.

Textiles and dyeing, as typified by kimono, are traditional industries that have come to represent Japanese culture. In addition to natural fibers such as silk, cotton, and hemp, in recent years synthetic fibers and chemical fibers such as highly durable polyester have been used as raw materials, as well as environmentally friendly yarns made from recycled PET and Japanese paper. There are numerous weaving techniques, and textiles have a myriad of different appearances. In particular, textiles using gold and silver threads, which have been developed as techniques for kimono and obi, can express a sense of luxury and splendor. Together with intricate dyeing and weaving techniques such as Kata-yuzen and tie-dyeing, textiles clearly present Japanese culture, and can be used to add a touch of elegance and harmony to interior spaces.
With the development of modern technologies such as laser cutting and inkjet textile printing, we are able to combine digital technology with handcraft techniques to produce custom-made textiles in any size, material, specification, and design, even in small lots. This allows for a high degree of freedom in the expression of space, from furniture upholstery, cushions, tapestries, bed throws, rugs, and other fabric products, to art panels, drapes, and large screens. Textiles allow for a variety of processing, including the addition of inflammability and flame retardancy by enclosing them in glass or acrylic materials.

Tatami mats are an indispensable part of the Japanese home. Today, few buildings have Japanese-style rooms, but tatami (-jo) is still used to indicate the floor space of a room, even in Western-style rooms. Tatami, which have been integral to Japanese life, is a flooring material made of panels of tatami-omote, a natural material made by weaving Igusa (rush grass) into a fabric. Tatami-omote is fixed by wrapping it around the core material, tatami-doko, to form a panel. Tatami-beri, or tatami mat edges, not only protect the tatami but also give the Japanese room a unique appearance depending on the color and pattern of the fabric used. Tatami mats have high thermal insulation, sound insulation, moisture retention, and humidity control qualities, and the colors and smells of the tatami surface offer serenity.
Tatami mats have been laid out in rooms according to certain principles, but there has been an increase in the use of square tatami panels, called Ryukyu tatami, laid over wood flooring. As interior decoration using natural materials, small tatami mats are used for furniture seating surfaces, wall surfaces, and decorations. Tatami mats are now being used more freely without the constraints of traditional fabrication methods. In addition to square shapes, we can also work on circular and polygonal shapes and select various materials such as Japanese paper or plastics for the tatami mat surface to suit the intended use.　

Gold leaf is said to have originated in ancient Egypt around 2600 BC. In Japan, it is said to have been used from the 6th to 7th century, as seen in the Kabutoyama and Kitora burial mounds and the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple. Gold leaf, which has always developed in tandem with culture, began to solemnly decorate Buddhist statues and implements, and was used for building interiors and exteriors, as seen in Kinkakuji Temple and Chusonji Konjikido, due to its malleability in being able to produce gold leaf covering an area of approximately 10 square meters from one square centimeter of gold. Craft techniques, such as chinkin (gold inlay) and maki-e (gold-relief lacquering), were developed to use gold leaf on lacquerware. Gold leaf was introduced to lacquer ware, and gold thread was produced when gold leaf was combined with silk, which was then woven into fabrics. In recent years, the use of gold leaf has expanded to accessories, foods, and cosmetics. An expansion of processing techniques and materials beyond gold, such as silver, copper, brass, and platinum leaf have also allowed for the enjoyment of a wide range of colors and textures. They can be used not only for Japanese images but also for Western and modern images due to their elegant luster, and can be used in a wide range of applications from building exteriors, interiors, and art panels that decorate walls to various products that utilize craft techniques.