BACKSTORIES by Tokuhiko Kise

The fact that it doesn’t need words to express itself is cool. It can express itself with its attitude.
But since this is a place for words, I guess I should use some to tell you a little about it.

Whenever I think about sofas, I tend to end up thinking only about the front or the sides. There have been many times where it didn’t bother me that I had left out the design or look of the back until the end. And yet, there are many rooms in which the sofa is not just put up against a wall, but instead used to divide the space.

On this sofa, the wood backboard and sides stand silent and unassuming.

When you enter a room, you see its back first. You then move towards it, pass the sides and stand in front, and without looking behind you, slip down into the seat. Then, without warning, you are taken by surprise by the feeling of your body being held gently by the cushions.

How could such an austere, stiff-looking sofa have such depth?? you wonder. Surprised, you stand up, take another good look at it, and realize that there’s more to the sofa than its neat lines.

With a brush of your hand along the gently rounded edges, can feel their tenderness.
A sense of calmness and composure seems to emanate out from the depths of the arms.
You somehow start to feel happy, and a little part of your heart grins.
With that feeling rising up inside you, you turn again to the front. This time when you sit down again, you focus on the sensation. You aren’t concerned with the eyes of the people around you. You relax.
It’s okay if you find yourself shouting or laughing out loud, or if you’re happy and lightly tap and stroke the armrests.
When you rest your hand on the armrest, you can feel its soft curve through your fingers. You take a deep breath, and lay your head on the soft back pillow that has been stuffed full of feathers.

I feel happy just thinking and writing about it.

The material from Mina Perhonen, although cotton, feels like suede and is soft and velvety to the touch. Modest and plain but full of character, it too seems if it’s talking without words.

Tokuhiko Kise