Kazuhide Takahama, ‘Kazuki’ chair in black lacquered wood for Gavina/Simon 1970

Kazuki armchair produced by Simon Gavina design Kazuhide Takahama year 1970. Structure with sides in MDF, seat and back in birch plywood lacquered in polyester with glossy black mirror finish.


Takahama represents the fusion of rigour and innovation, a meeting of spirituality and creativity.He studied at the University of Tokyo and graduated in 1953. Here he began to collaborate with the university and at the same time started his experimental graphic activity. In 1956 he came to Italy for the first time and here he opened up to new knowledge of the artistic panorama,to architects and designers.
The person with whom he is most closely associated is Dino Gavina. They will work together for the rest of their lives. Their first project was the NaeKo armchair, which was later mass-produced by Gavina. Produced in metal, NaeKo was born as a Daily-bed thanks to its fully reclining backrest. It was an immediate success and was produced, after a short time,
in wood too. A beautiful design that the architect dedicated to his future and much-loved wife Naeko. In 1963 he moved with his family and settled in Bologna, which was a lively and growing artistic centre. Takama collaborated with people who were already famous on the Italian scene, such as Simon, B&B and Sirrah. He is a multifaceted character, producing without limits. He touches all spheres of indoor and outdoor furniture, public and private projects. He was called a man of stone because of his introverted, calm and silent character but his strong and distinct personality.