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CONCEPT

Beautiful
see-through cat tree

We started by asking ourselves if it might be possible to design recreational cat furniture to fit well to Architectural modernism or art museums.this simple idea eventually led to the current product's creation. The natural marble base, an innovative idea that goes against conventional design norms in the cat tree product category, was inspired by seeing a cat sprawled out on the floor of a house's entrance area, using the surface to cool its body. The overall tree design, incorporating high-quality, natural materials and a practical yet artistic approach, makes good use of each material's inherent characteristics as well as masterful techniques to achieve form that facilitates comfortable climbing for the cat as it ascends and descends. This cat tree is a reflection of our artistic philosophy and approach.

DESIGN

Designed to
feel your cats at anytime

This vertically oriented piece covered in natural wood offers a private space for the cat while serving as a decorative interior object that fits seamlessly with its surroundings. The spaces in between each cylindrical post provide glimpses, and thus convey the mutual presence, of both cat and human, maintaining a furtive connection between the two for a greater intimacy. As the axis of rotation is built in the outer structure, it can be opened like a door for easy maintenance. The Greek marble used for the base not only helps the cat regulate body temperature more effectively, it also provides a low center of gravity to stabilize the tree. As for the materials, they offer design and functional value while also expressing a cultural fusion between the wooden materials of the East and stone materials of the West.
Yoh Komiyama is the product's designer.

MATERIAL

Marble

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Fabric

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Wood

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Hemp Cord

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CRAFTSMANSHIP

The carpenters of Hida boast a history going back over 1300 years. Inheriting that DNA, the current artisans of Hida, building on their advanced nailless wood braiding construction techniques, have been proactive in drawing from Western bentwood techniques, continuing to develop the furniture industry. Owing to the vast variety of trees present in this mountainous region, these craftsmen, valuing both tradition and innovation, masterfully manipulate the Japanese broad leaved trees, known to be hard to handle. In order to avoid spoiling the exterior appearance of the wooden bars with adhesive, a painstaking nailless method in which small wooden rods known as "dabo" are inserted one by one is required. The wooden bars are then treated with a thin layer of urethane, combining the feel of natural wood with the durability needed to resist cat scratches.
Our cat trees are made from carefully selected materials supplied by Hidakuma Inc. a company that strives to create new value through forests, and products are built by Masaaki Ito, a master craftsperson who lives with his cat.

MEDIA

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Product name

    Modern Cat Tree NEKO

  • List price (before tax)

    ¥1,000,000

  • Limited sale

    22 per year

  • Dimensions (mm)

    628 (W) × 628 (D) × 1,822 (H)

  • Weight

    approx. 30 kg

  • Country of origin

    Japan

  • Materials

    Greek marble,
    Japanese hardwood,
    Textile by Kvadrat,
    steel

  • Warranty Period

    One year from delivery date

※Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice due to upgrades.

※Because of natural marble, there are variations in color tone and pattern.

※No assembly is necessary. We will deliver the finished product.

※Delivery of product will be shipped sequentially from the beginning of March 2018.

GALLERY

DRAG

NEKO

¥1,000,000 (before tax) Limited sale: 22 per year
CONTACT INFORMATION
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MATERIAL

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Marble

This high-end material starts as magma deep within the earth, which is transformed into marble through exposure to ultra-high temperatures and pressures. Marble's smooth feel to the touch, alluring luster and rich variety of patterns and colors enchant people everywhere, and it has been used since ancient times as an architectural interior design and decorative material to create sophisticated, elegant spaces. At RINN, we use white marble excavated in the Drama region of northwestern Greece. This marble's white color is permeated with grays that seem to flow gracefully throughout.

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Fabric

About 70% of Japan is covered in thick, green forests. Gifu Prefecture's Hida region serves as a particularly abundant source of broad-leaved trees, which are also known as hardwoods, and the wood from these is often used for furniture due to its attractive textures and high scratch-resistance (thanks to high hardness). When needed, we select from natively grown broad leaved trees like oak, Japanese beech and maple from the heart of the Hida area, ensuring each species is used for the right function by making use of its unique characteristics. In addition to not putting a strain on distribution, we are always putting thought into how to connect our users to the forests of Japan. Our products offer a window into the forest, the warmth of the trees gently enveloping both cats and humans.

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Wood

About 70% of Japan is covered in thick, green forests. Gifu Prefecture's Hida region serves as a particularly abundant source of broad-leaved trees, which are also known as hardwoods, and the wood from these is often used for furniture due to its attractive textures and high scratch-resistance (thanks to high hardness). We use domestically grown oak, beech, maple and other wood primarily from the forests of Hida, applying each type for different purposes and in specific locations based on individual material characteristics. Our cat tree product serves as a testament to the diversity of Japan's forests, and the warm feel of the wood materials is pleasing to both cats and owners alike.

MATERIAL

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Hemp Cord

We have wrapped the pillars in hemp cord to create scratching posts, using high-quality, made-in-Japan hemp cord from a company with more than 100 years of history behind it. Scratching posts not only provide a way for cats to sharpen and maintain their claws, relax, relieve stress, and play, they also give the cat a feeling of owning its own domain. Moreover, owners can rest easy knowing that we are able to replace hemp cord as it grows old and tattered.