4 Asahikawa Furniture is committed to crafting furniture using locally sourced wood from Hokkaido. In 2014, we launched the �Kokono Ki no Kagu – Hokkaido Project.� Although Japan�s wood self-sufficiency rate has risen to 42.8% (Forestry Agency, FY2023), much timber is still imported from distant countries, requiring large amounts of fossil fuel for transportation. From this perspective, we will continue promoting the use of Hokkaido wood to support more sustainable manufacturing. Proactive Use of Hokkaido Wood Over 20 Years of Forest Conservation for the Future CondeHouse�s craftsmanship is sustained by healthy land and forests. For more than 20 years, we have carried out tree-planting initiatives to pass these forests on to future generations, planting over 50,000 Mizunara oak saplings to date. Through this long-term commitment, we support a sustainable forest cycle that nurtures both nature and craftsmanship into the future. Utilizing Hokkaido Hardwood and Advancing Sustainable Craftsmanship The elm, cherry, and sen produced in Hokkaido through coniferous forestry and forest management processes has grown unmanaged, resulting in significant variation in wood condition and a prevalence of small diameters and lengths. Enhancing value will revitalize the broadleaf forestry industry and contribute to the creation of well-managed, sustainable forests. Using these materials in furniture manufacturing creates new value for them and increases their utilization. We conduct various tests, research, and development for use as furniture materials. It is usually pulverized and turned into pulp or fuel chips. Unlocking the Potential of Underutilized Tree Species Selecting the Right Wood, Close to the Forest To coexist sustainably with Hokkaido�s rich forests, CondeHouse values working with a diverse range of hardwood species. In recent years, factors such as global wood shortages, import restrictions, and rising costs have made it increasingly difficult to secure stable supplies of high-quality local timber. In response, we expanded our material research beyond conventional species and began actively utilizing a broader selection of Hokkaido hardwoods. Through strength testing conducted by an industry–academia–government research group led by the Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative, we introduced previously underutilized species such as Elm, Cherry, and Japanese Sen into production in 2024. Today, we work with six types of Hokkaido hardwood, including Oak, Ash, and Birch, deepening our material knowledge and supporting sustainable forestry through diversified wood use. Asahikawa is a major timber hub in Hokkaido and home to one of Japan�s leading log auctions for high-quality hardwood. The region brings together sawmills, woodworking specialists, and forestry professionals with deep knowledge of wood. CondeHouse maintains long-standing relationships with these local experts, sharing insight from log procurement through processing. By working closely with those who understand the forest, we assess each log�s characteristics and determine its best use in furniture making―careful judgment and collaboration that underpin the quality of our products.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTg2MTc=