Traditional Craft "Nambu Tansu" DNA Inherited by Camping Furniture Brand "A&D/W"

Technology often conjures images of cutting-edge and innovative creations, but we mustn't forget that many of these advancements are built upon the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the past.

Launched in Iwate Prefecture in 2020, A&D/W is a camping furniture brand developed by the folk craft furniture maker Marui Zoukei, founded in 1945. This brand outputs skills in furniture-making, handed down across three generations, as easy-to-assemble outdoor furniture.
 
The "Shichirin Irori" table, a flagship product of the brand, not only carries forward traditional techniques and craftsmanship but also embodies the spirit of material selection and creation. The story behind its inception is captivating. We spoke with Masayuki Chiba, the spokesperson for Marui Zoukei, about the background and product lineup of "A&D/W."

Since its launch in 2020, "A&D/W" has quickly made a splash by winning domestic craft awards and the D2C Award. The unique concept of bringing an irori into the outdoors, combined with the easy-to-maintain and portable assembly structure, and its high-quality appearance, has caught the attention of campers.
 
Despite the novel concept, the mastermind behind "A&D/W" is a traditional craft furniture maker rooted in Iwate. How did a three-generation-old family business give birth to the "Shichirin Irori"? We enquired about the company, Marui Zoukei.
 
"Marui Zoukei was founded by my grandfather in Kunohe Village, Iwate Prefecture, and this year marks our 78th year. The traditional Nambu Tansu craftsmanship was passed down from my grandfather to my father, and now my younger brother, Nobuhiro Chiba, is the president, continuing the legacy with our craftsmen.
 
"We are three brothers; Nobuhiro, the youngest, has been working hands-on in Kunohe Village. The second and eldest brothers, including myself, leveraged our experiences in different industries to protect and manage the family business together.