Coffee Table (Used)

Item No. Shrine low table/T-831-OKTE / TIME & STYLE
Size: W90 x D45 x H40 cm
Color: Iron-rich water(Charcoal gray)
Material: Oak

One style of Shinto shrine architecture is known as *Shinmei-zukuri*, characterized by the use of coniferous pillars—typically Japanese cypress or cedar—set directly into the ground, with beams and horizontal tie-beams (*nuki*) passing through them. The Ise Grand Shrine is the preeminent example of this style. The shrine complex preserves a history spanning two millennia, with numerous structures scattered across vast, wooded grounds.

We created a low table inspired by the various shrines—large and small—dotted throughout the sacred forest. The edges of the tabletop are beveled to mimic shrine roofs, evoking the image of straight, overhanging eaves. Cylindrical legs support the four corners of the tabletop like the pillars of a shrine, while horizontal tie-beams pass through them to create a robust structure. The presence of these tables, layered horizontally at varying heights, captures the atmosphere of the shrine buildings nestled within the forest. Its minimalist design, stripped of ornamentation, creates an air of refined simplicity.

-Iron-rich water-
While iron-water solutions are commonly used for dyeing textiles, we developed this specific application for furniture. Because tannin content varies from piece to piece, the resulting color tones differ slightly with each item. Additionally, the black hue gradually fades over time as the wood ages. After the iron-water solution is applied, the piece is finished with beeswax.