Kodawari Collective

English
日本語
Our Mision
To embody kodawari—the unwavering pursuit of excellence through craftsmanship.
We commit to precision, patience, and integrity in every detail, not for recognition, but out of respect for the work itself.
We hold ourselves to a standard only we can see, guided by a quiet pride that comes from doing our best when no one is watching.
We believe the process is the purpose—and that true meaning lies in the care, not the outcome.
Perfection may be unreachable, but we pursue it anyway.
This is our way. This is kodawari.

私たちのミッション

私たちは、「こだわり」― 揺るぎないクラフトへの探究心を体現するチームです。

細部に宿る精度、忍耐、誠実さ。

―誰かの評価ではなく、自分たちの手がける仕事への敬意をもって、

ものづくりに向き合います。

見えないところまで丁寧に仕上げる。 

―誰に見られていなくても、ベストを尽くす。それが、私たちの基準です。

私たちは、プロセスそのものに価値があると信じています。

―完璧には届かなくても、そこに向かう姿勢にこそ意味がある。

これが、私たちのものづくり。

これが、「Kodawari(こだわり)」です。

Kodawari is the culmination of a lifelong passion.

ABOUT

English
日本語

Kodawari Collective is a Japan-based company that links Japan's finest architectural craftsman with architects, designers and developers in the U.S. who are looking for unique material applications unavailable outside of Japan. ​ Each artisan in our Collective has been carefully selected for a particular craft and, in many cases, these artisans have carried on the tradition for generations. ​ At the same time, these artisans are keenly aware of the need to adapt their skill to meet contemporary needs and aesthetics. ​ Many of these craft traditions are in extinction and Kodawari Collective is dedicated to the preservation of these cultural heritages by finding new and innovative uses outside of Japan. ​

The founders of Kodawari have a combined 50 years of experience in luxury design and fabrication in California, specializing in Japanese design and construction. ​ Kodawari brings this knowledge and experience to the table with each and every project assisting architects and designers to access the immense wealth of fine craftsmanship and creativity Japan has to offer. 

私たちについて

KODAWARI COLLECTIVE は、日本国内で活動する一流の日本建築の職人たちと、

アメリカの建築家・デザイナー・開発者をつなぐ架け橋となる、

日本を拠点とした企業です。

私たちが選定する職人たちは、それぞれの専門分野において卓越した技術を持ち、

多くは代々受け継がれてきた伝統を守り続けています。

同時に、彼らは現代のニーズや美意識に応える柔軟さも持ち合わせており、

伝統を未来へとつなぐ存在です。

多くの工芸技術が絶滅の危機に瀕する中、KODAWARI はそれらの文化遺産を守り、日本国外での

新たな活用法を見出すことで、

持続可能な形で継承していくことを使命としています。

KODAWARI の創業者たちは、カリフォルニアにて日本建築・デザインに特化した

高級デザインと製作の分野で50年以上の経験を有しています。

その豊富な知識と実績を活かし、日本の卓越した職人技と創造性を、

世界中の設計者やデザイナーに届けるお手伝いをしています。

OUR STORY

English
日本語

Kodawari grew out of a lifelong love for all things Japanese and, in particular, Japanese architecture and design. ​ After earning a degree in architecture, Christopher Weiss, Kodawari founding partner, completed an 8 year long traditional Japanese timber-framer's apprenticeship under master builder Paul Discoe, who himself apprenticed in temple building in Kyoto, Japan in the early 1970's, one of the earliest foreigners to do so. ​ Christopher went on to establish his own design/build company, MRCW, with wife and design partner, Monica Reskala. ​ Over a quarter century, MRCW has completed hundreds of bespoke commissions and limited edition designs for private clients and commercial entities alike. ​ In 2013, Christopher and Monica opened Turtle & Hare, a showroom for Japanese furniture and craft. ​ Over the next 10 years, the couple travelled extensively throughout Japan in search of the finest craft Japan has to offer. ​

Kodawari is the culmination of a lifelong passion. 

私たちのストーリー

KODAWARI は、日本文化、特に日本建築とデザインへの生涯にわたる情熱から生まれました。

創設パートナーであるクリストファー・ワイスは、建築学位取得後、伝統的な日本の木造

建築の技術を学ぶため、名匠ポール・ディスコー氏のもとで8年間の徒弟修業を行いました。

ディスコー氏は1970年代初頭に京都で寺院建築を学んだ、

初期の外国人徒弟の一人でもあります。

その後、クリストファーは妻でありデザインパートナーでもあるモニカ・レスカラと共に、

デザイン&施工会社「MRCW」を設立。以来25年以上にわたり、

個人顧客や商業プロジェクト向けに数百件にのぼる特注設計と限定作品を手がけてきました。

2013年には、日本の家具と工芸のショールーム「TURTLE & HARE」をオープン。

以降10年にわたり、夫婦で日本全国を旅し、最高峰の職人たちを探し求めてきました。

KODAWARI は、そんな二人の人生をかけた探求の結晶です。

KUMIKO

Kumiko (組子) are delicate wooden lattice screens, handcrafted through precise joinery without nails or glue. Made from fine-grained wood—often hinoki (Japanese cypress)—each geometric pattern is assembled by hand, piece by piece, in a tradition passed down for centuries.
In interior design, kumiko screens bring light, structure, and serenity into a space. Their intricate forms cast gentle shadows that shift with the sun, creating a living artwork of light and craft.
More than decoration, kumiko is a dialogue between nature and design, between discipline and beauty. Every pattern carries meaning, every line tells a story of patience and quiet mastery.
To live with kumiko is to let craftsmanship breathe through the walls.

SUDARE

Sudare (簾) are traditional Japanese woven screens crafted from fine bamboo or reeds, designed to soften light, frame space, and invite the breeze. Used in interiors for centuries, they offer natural texture, seasonal functionality, and quiet refinement.
In a room, a sudare does more than filter sunlight—it draws the eye to rhythm and shadow, creating a serene interplay between indoors and out. Minimal yet expressive, these screens echo the values of Japanese design: impermanence, simplicity, and grace in restraint.
A sudare is not just a shade—it’s a gesture. A way to welcome the light, but gently.

ADZE

Chōna Shiage (ちょうな仕上げ) refers to the traditional Japanese technique of finishing wood using a chōna (adze)—a hand tool with a curved blade mounted perpendicular to the handle. This method leaves behind distinct, rhythmic scallop marks that are both functional and beautiful.
Rather than sanding the surface smooth, chōna shiage reveals the texture of the tool and the hand behind it. It’s a process that emphasizes craftsmanship, honoring the natural qualities of the wood while adding a unique, organic character to the finished piece.
Often seen in temple carpentry, furniture, and timber framing, this finish is a visual signature of traditional Japanese woodworking—one that celebrates the imperfect, the intentional, and the deeply personal.

TILE

Gifu Tiles, especially from the Tajimi and Tokoname regions, are renowned for their craftsmanship, durability, and refined aesthetic. These yakimono (ceramic) tiles often feature natural glazes, earthy tones, and subtle textures, blending tradition with modern design.
Made using time-honored kiln techniques, Gifu tiles are used in architecture, interior design, and art—valued for their ability to evoke warmth, wabi-sabi, and timeless Japanese beauty.

STONE

Date Kan Stone (伊達冠石) is a rare and prestigious type of natural stone quarried in Miyagi Prefecture, particularly in the city of Date. Its name combines the region with “kan” (冠), meaning “crown,” reflecting both its noble appearance and esteemed status in traditional architecture and stonework.
This stone is prized for its distinctive deep reddish-brown hues, often with hints of iron oxide that naturally surface over time, giving it a warm, weathered patina. Dense and durable, yet capable of being finely polished, Date Kan Stone has been used in everything from temple pathways and gravestones to tea garden ornaments and high-end landscaping.
Beyond its physical beauty, Date Kan Stone carries cultural significance. It embodies wabi-sabi—the appreciation of impermanence and imperfection—and reflects a deep respect for nature’s materials, shaped with minimal intervention.
Each piece tells a story of geological time, regional heritage, and quiet craftsmanship.

PROCESS:

English
日本語
1. The Vision: Let us know what you are interested in and if you are not sure, we can make suggestions and provide samples and cost estimates. ​
2.   Design & Development: Kodawari will translate your drawings for the artisan and provide material options, pricing and lead times. ​
3.   Quality Control: From start to finish, Kodawari will meet with the artisan as necessary to insure all design criteria are being met. ​ 
4.  Estimate shipping costs.  Kodawari will handle all shipping and customs logistics either to our warehouse in California or directly to the job site. ​
5.  Installation: When necessary our sister company, MRCW, can assist with the installation of the finishes. ​
 
Kodawari is here to make your vision a reality..... 

Process

プロセスについて

  1. ヒアリング(Vision)

まずは、興味のある素材やスタイルを教えてください。

まだイメージが固まっていない場合でも、サンプルの

ご提案やお見積りの作成からお手伝いします。

  1. デザイン&開発ご提供いただいた図面をもとに、

職人向けに技術的な説明・調整を行います。

使用可能な素材、価格帯、納期なども明確にご案内します。

  1. プロジェクトのクオリティコントロール

最初から最後まで、必要に応じて職人との打ち合わせを重ね、

設計意図が確実に反映されるよう管理します。

  1. 輸送と通関の手配

カリフォルニアの倉庫、もしくは現場への直送を含め、

輸送コストの算出と物流・通関手配を一括で対応します。

  1. 施工サポート

現場での施工が必要な場合は、姉妹会社「MRCW」が

施工支援を行うことも可能です。

あなたの「想い」を、かたちにするために

Kodawari は、クラフトと建築のあいだをつなぐ存在として、

プロジェクトの最初から最後まで寄り添います。

Contact

For inquiries please send us a question or contact us:
Christopher Weiss
Tel: +1 510.928.2904
 
〒421-1114
静岡県藤枝市岡部町羽佐間162-3 
 
寺嶋由起 
Yuki Terashima
+81 90 8513 2271
 
162-3, Hazama, Okabe-cho, Fujieda, Shizuoka, 421-1114, Japan

©2025 Kodawari Collective. All rights Reserved

Designed by: Lovera Digital