Tokyo – September 07, 2026 -- Gurunavi, Inc. will stage live demonstrations of "Odate Magewappa," a 1,000-year-old Japanese bentwood craft, at Maison & Objet Paris 2026, running September 10-14 at Paris Nord Villepinte, alongside a showcase of more than 40 Japanese wood products.
The exhibit, housed in a dedicated pavilion titled "JAPAN WOOD x CRAFTSMANSHIP" in Hall 6, Stand N120-P119, is managed by Gurunavi as part of a project promoting Japanese wood products subsidized by Japan's Forestry Agency.
One of Japan's 16 certified Magewappa masters will demonstrate hot-water bending in Paris
Yoshimasa Shibata, one of only 16 nationally certified traditional artisans of Odate Magewappa in Japan, will travel to Paris to perform live demonstrations of "Mage-kakou," a technique in which natural cedar wood, softened in water above 80°C, is bent instantly using only the artisan's touch. He will also demonstrate "Kaba-toji," a joint-finishing method using wild cherry bark stitched to resemble sewing.
Odate Magewappa originates from Odate City in Akita Prefecture and traces its roots to 10th-century archaeological findings of curved wooden vessels preserved in volcanic ash. The craft was formally established as an industry roughly 400 years ago.
More than 40 Japanese wood products target sustainable European interior design
The exhibition features over 40 selected pieces spanning Magewappa items, furniture, decor and tableware, combining Japanese joinery techniques with contemporary design. The presentation emphasizes wood's natural properties, including fragrance, thermal regulation, moisture absorption and antibacterial qualities, positioned for sustainable European living spaces.
Japan's forest management model links product sourcing to carbon storage claims
Approximately 70% of Japan's territory is forested, with plantation forests accounting for nearly 40% of that area. Japan holds one of the highest plantation-forest ratios globally, compared with plantations making up roughly 8% of the world's total forest area, according to the release. This is attributed to a sustained cycle of planting new trees after harvesting.
Wood products absorb carbon dioxide during growth, generate low emissions during manufacturing, and continue storing carbon throughout their lifespan as finished goods, according to the organizers, who frame this as a contribution to corporate net-zero and ESG targets.