Matsuoka Furniture, Japan
Case Study: Documenting the Artisanal Legacy of Matsuoka Furniture, Japan
Photography by Paul Barbera
In the heart of Japan’s Hida-Takayama region, Matsuoka Furniture has quietly built a legacy of craftsmanship that spans generations. Known for their meticulous joinery, hand-finished detailing, and reverence for natural materials, the family-run workshop embodies the essence of Japanese woodworking heritage.
I had the privilege of photographing Matsuoka’s studio and artisans as part of a collaboration with Australian designer Christian Lyon, whose refined, sculptural furniture designs are brought to life through Matsuoka’s expert hands. This assignment was not just about showcasing product—it was about capturing the soul of a workshop where every object is the result of deep focus, quiet repetition, and generational mastery.
The images tell the story of process: raw timber being planed with handheld kanna blades, joinery being cut with mathematical precision, surfaces being polished with rice-straw brushes until they glow. It was important to show the stillness of the space, the rhythm of the hands, and the timelessness of their methods. The light filtering through the workshop felt like it was part of the story—it was soft, diffused, respectful.
Christian Lyon’s designs, produced in collaboration with Matsuoka, marry Japanese craftsmanship with a distinctly Western design language. The result is furniture that feels timeless and global, rooted yet expansive. This was central to the photographic narrative—bridging continents through a shared design language of integrity, detail, and beauty.
This shoot is part of my ongoing commitment to documenting spaces of making, places where tradition and creativity meet. Matsuoka is not just a manufacturer—they are keepers of a craft that demands to be seen, respected, and preserved.
Credits
Client: Christian Lyon Studio
Collaborator: Matsuoka Furniture, Japan
Photography: Paul Barbera | Where They Create