Completed in 1966, the second IMPERIAL THEATRE was a “temple of musicals” in Japan’s theatrical world, and supported theatre-goers with moving performances for more than half a century. Along with its temporary closure in late February 2025, TOHO Co., Ltd. launched the IMPERIAL THEATRE Legacy Collection, a project for turning materials from the theatre that were slated for disposal during its dismantling (including seats, lighting fixtures, railings, and pillars) into new products. The IMPERIAL THEATRE Premium Remake represents the culmination of this IMPERIAL THEATRE Legacy Collection. It is a series consisting of 30 types of items in all that were manufactured mainly by Karimoku Furniture Inc., and was achieved through collaboration with a number of external designers. The series lineup runs from remade furniture that brings the warmth of theatre seating into the home to various accessories. The products born through this project are going to be sold at ZOZOVILLA beginning on January 17 (Sat.), 2026. In addition, plans have been finalized for holding an exhibit titled IMPERIAL THEATRE Legacy Collection - 2026 Winter at two venues: KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER, which is managed by Karimoku Furniture, and Hibiya Chanter, a commercial facility located in Tokyo’s Hibiya district. Those who visit the exhibition, which begins on the same day as the sales at ZOZOVILLA, will be able to experience the full scale of the project.

“wagetsu わ月” by WAKA WAKA, and “Karimoku Re:issue by LICHEN”, “CMPT by Lichen”, are the result of our second Survey, NEW TRADITION. All series go on sale from August 13—and to celebrate, Karimoku Furniture will host an exhibition at “Center Park/The Stage #5” on the 5th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Store Main Building from August 13—19.

Santa & Cole presents the work of Antoni Arola at the KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER in Tokyo — an exhibition that explores the many ways in which the Spanish designer’s practice engages in a dialogue with light, offering distinct perspectives through immersive installation, product design, and the creative process. Antoni Arola’s work emerges from an open-ended process where intuition, observation, chance, and the playfulness of materials converge. His pieces—whether luminaires or light installations—do not begin with a fixed function or predetermined form. Instead, they unfold through silent discoveries and unexpected associations, revealing themselves gradually in a search to understand and shape light. The exhibition unfolds across three levels, beginning with a sensory immersion in light, followed by a presentation of his lamps edited by Santa & Cole, and concluding with a glimpse into the creative universe of Antoni Arola. Each level offers a unique encounter—immersive, spatial, intuitive—together forming a portrait of his practice as an ongoing conversation with the intangible presence of light.

Exhibition “KARI KARI MOKU MOKU WAKA WAKA” The first day of the public opening will include a talk event. Shinichiro Okuda of WAKA WAKA and Hiroshi Kato of Karimoku Furniture will discuss the exhibition covering topics such as the collaborative process, material selection, and production techniques. Please check the details below and register as early as possible.

What is tradition? The concept has been increasingly in the spotlight in arts and culture. But what makes a tradition a tradition? Why does it matter to us? With a new theme, [Survey 01: NEW TRADITION], KARIMOKU RESEARCH explores its relationship with innovation in an attempt to unravel its true self and potential for a new value, vision - and even a room to break with tradition for what could be seen as a new tradition by future generations - while honoring the legacy. Led by Los Angeles-based design studio WAKA WAKA and New York-based Lichen.

We are pleased to announce our third Survey, “Survey 02 : TIMELESS CHANGE”—to be showcased in the KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER from April 26, 2025. This time we welcome researcher and Tokyo-based design studio, Postalco, to present their exhibition “STAKKO Chunks & Blocks” in THE ARCHIVE on the first floor. Postalco will examine the concept of ‘timeless’, viewing it not as a constant, but as a need for adaption, in a life full of constant change. Concurrently, on the basement floor, photographer Hideaki Hamada will present “resemblance of time”—a multimedia exhibition that will transform THE STUDY into a sensory experience where perceptions of time and space intersect.

The KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER opened its doors to the public on Saturday, 26 October 2024, in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo. Housed in a renovated three-story building, each floor serves a distinct function. As a whole, the space is intentionally designed to foster collaboration, learning, and physical interaction, whether it’s getting hands-on with pre-production prototypes or browsing the extensive materials library.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates on KARIMOKU RESEARCH and all the activities happening at the KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER. Stay informed about our newest innovations, upcoming events, and the exciting projects we’re working on, as we continue to explore and push the boundaries of design and living.

This fall Copenhagen based duo Christian+Jade will exhibit "The Age of Wood" inside KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER's archive space. This survey examines how wood has been a cornerstone of human craftsmanship for centuries, embodying a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Open to the public Oct. 26th, 2024.