Tokyo – September 07, 2026 -- Gurunavi, Inc. will unveil a special pavilion, "JAPAN WOOD x CRAFTSMANSHIP," at Maison & Objet Paris 2026, running September 10-14 at Paris Nord Villepinte, featuring live demonstrations of the 1,000-year-old Odate Magewappa woodworking technique alongside more than 40 Japanese wood products aimed at decarbonization and ESG-driven design.

One of only 16 nationally certified Odate Magewappa artisans will demonstrate the craft live in Paris

Yoshimasa Shibata, one of just sixteen artisans nationally certified in Odate Magewappa, will perform live demonstrations of "Mage-kakou," a bending technique that shapes natural cedar softened in water above 80°C using only the artisan's fingertip intuition, and "Kaba-toji," a stitching method that joins wood using wild cherry bark. The craft, tied to Odate City in Akita Prefecture, traces its origins to 10th-century archaeological finds of bent-wood vessels preserved in volcanic ash and has operated as a formal trade for roughly 400 years.

Over 40 curated wood products target sustainable European interior design

The exhibition will display more than 40 selected pieces, including Odate Magewappa works, furniture, décor items and tableware, combining traditional Japanese woodworking with contemporary design. The products emphasize wood's natural properties -- scent, thermoregulation, moisture absorption and antibacterial qualities -- positioned for European interior markets seeking durable, sustainable materials.

Japan's forest management model underpins the pavilion's decarbonization pitch

Roughly 70% of Japan's land area is forested, with approximately 40% classified as planted forest, compared with a global average of about 8% planted forest coverage. Gurunavi frames this as the outcome of a long-standing circular forestry cycle involving replanting after harvest. Wood-based products absorb carbon dioxide during growth, generate low emissions during manufacturing, and continue storing carbon throughout their product life, supporting corporate net-zero and ESG targets.

The pavilion is subsidized under a Japan Forestry Agency wood-promotion project

The JAPAN WOOD x CRAFTSMANSHIP pavilion is operated by Gurunavi, Inc. as part of a Japanese wood products promotion project subsidized by Japan's Forestry Agency. The exhibit will occupy Hall 6, Stand N120-P119, at Maison & Objet Paris 2026 from September 10 through September 14.