[Special Feature] Scenery of Fukusuke Part 2 Okachimachi “WOODWORK”

Based on the "Fukusuke doll" drawn by graffiti artist ESOW, Sofubi Studio CHUKUKOBO This is a soft vinyl art piece called "Fukusuke" created by ESOW. In this feature, we will present "Scenes with Fukusuke" in three parts, featuring Fukusuke dolls that have been popular since the Edo period as lucky charms that are said to bring happiness, along with interviews and photographs taken at shops associated with ESOW. (Part one isHerefrom)

For our second feature, we visited "WOODWORK," a furniture brand with a store and workshop in Okachimachi. We spoke with the representative, Mr. Fujimoto, in a space filled with the scent of wood.

WOODWORK is a furniture brand that develops original furniture with a focus on materials and handcrafted workmanship. The store in Okachimachi displays many pieces of furniture that are carefully made to bring out the best in solid wood. At the attached cafe "welcome coffee," you can enjoy carefully selected coffee and sweets while touching WOODWORK's furniture. The basement of the store is a workshop where craftsmen are making furniture every day.

---

[We asked Mr. Fujimoto, CEO of WOODWORK]

---

--When did WOODWORK start?

WOODWORK started as a lumber shop called "Shimojin Shoten," which was founded in 1897. At that time, it was a small shop that sold wood cut to the desired size to the general public, much like a downtown version of Tokyu Hands today.
The name WOODWORK itself has been around for 30 years, but it was 15 years ago that we relaunched it as a full-fledged furniture brand. Eight years ago, WOODWORK became independent from Shimojin Shoten, and I am currently the representative.

--So your predecessor was a long-established lumber company?

I joined the company about 20 years ago. It all started when I placed an order for lumber with Shimojin Shoten while I was a vocational school student, and I ended up working there as soon as I graduated. The process of renovating the company from a lumberyard to a furniture store went smoothly, and I consulted with the president at the time about various things, but the workshop in the basement where the craftsmen work remains the same as it was when it was a lumberyard.

In the underground workshop, craftsmen are working surrounded by wood.

--What kind of brand is WOODWORK today?

Currently, we focus on our original furniture brand and the production of custom-made furniture. In 2017, we also opened a cafe called "welcome coffee" attached to our store. Customers can enjoy their time at the cafe while actually using WOODWORK furniture. Now, some people come to the store specifically for the cafe, and it has also become a place where people who come to look at furniture stop by. We also regularly hold events using the workshop, and we've done things like crafting workshops, live music, and movie screenings.

Welcome Coffee also has a lot of art on display.

--How did you come to know ESOW?

: The main reason was that we were from the same hometown. Although I didn't have any direct contact with Jesse (ESOW) when we were kids, I knew of his existence. Our first connection was when we were in our twenties. When an older acquaintance from my hometown was opening a bar in Ginza, he asked me to make a door for it, and Jesse (ESOW) painted the picture on that door.

Much later, when we held a coffee event at our cafe, I asked Jesse (ESOW) to create illustrations for the T-shirts. That led to the idea of ​​exhibiting his work at WOODWORK, and for the past three years, we've been holding an annual exhibition combining Jesse (ESOW)'s work with our own craftsmanship.

Thanks to local connections, many people his age and slightly older who live around here, especially the skaters, knew about Jesse (ESOW) and his art, so he was surprisingly approachable; you could easily get an introduction if you asked someone. Now he comes to the cafe a few times a month for coffee.

This beckoning cat has adorable, round eyes. Apparently, ESOW painted the eyes herself.

--Finally, could you tell us your recommended menu item?

All of our drinks are highly recommended. Our in-house barista has excellent drip brewing skills and extensive knowledge of coffee beans, so we put a lot of care into our offerings. In addition to our standard menu, we offer a variety of original drinks, including seasonal drip coffees and sodas. As for sweets, we make scones and muffins, and depending on the timing, we also make Basque cheesecake, which is also very popular.

ESOW also loves this Basque cheesecake. It's moist, rich, and absolutely delicious!

Thank you, Fujimoto-san!
"Fukusuke's Landscape" Part 3 will be released next week! Stay tuned for the next installment.

A counter lined with baked goods.ESOW-designed coffee is available only at the event.

[Fukusuke/Blue] Now on sale. For details...Here