A woodworker from Gifu Prefecture. Masaru Kawai studied architecture at university, and trained as a woodworker in Hida and upholstery in Kyoto before establishing his own workshop. Currently, he has set up his studio in his hometown of Mino. In addition to creating works that showcase the unique qualities of wood, such as furniture and tableware, he actively engages in activities to promote the Japanese aesthetic of wood and the charm of coniferous trees through his own brand “SOMA.”
川合 優
岐阜縣出身的木工工人，川合優在大學學習建築學，在飛騨接受木工培訓，在京都接受室內裝潢培訓，之後成立了自己的工作室。目前，他在故鄉美濃設立了工作室。展示木材的獨特品質，如家具和餐具，他透過自己的品牌「SOMA」積極參與推廣日本木材的美學和針葉樹魅力的活動。