Ibazen is a furniture workshop located in a small town called Biei on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. The chief designer and maker, Iba Takahito, learned his practice under wood sculptor Takahashi Yoshiaki and at Studio Yazakawa until he founded his namesake brand in 2007. Takahito uses traditional Japanese woodworking techniques to create works of art. All the wood he uses is Japanese and mostly found on Hokkaido, from oak to cherry. Finishing is all done by hand using hand-held planes and a specially formulated lacquer called Urushi, creating a durable, lustrous, long-lasting masterpiece. Ibazen's pieces showcase past designs that are functional, comfortable and to be enjoyed for modern living.