The timeless designs featured in this book were designed in the mid-1950s by the Japanese design group KAK, led by architect and industrial designer Yoshio Akioka. Now, more than half a century after the creation of these designs, the chairs, tables, and storage furniture retain their simple beauty and functionality.

The 24 rewarding projects are presented with notes on the key design elements of each piece, the tools and techniques needed to construct them, and step-by-step instructions for completing them. The designs are chosen to highlight the structure of furniture and the techniques are well-suited to working with softwood planks and plywood – readily available in DIY stores. Each project is described in a brief overview, with a difficulty rating and an emphasis on key design elements. This is followed by a detailed instructions section with helpful illustrations.

Appealing to woodworkers and hand-tool enthusiasts, the book reflects a growing interest in making simple practical furniture for the home as well as an appreciation of Japanese design.

Projects include:

Two-way cross-braced stool
Round plywood tea table
Sturdy porch bench
Simple umbrella stand
V-shaped leg tea table
Variable-height table
Box-shaped bench
Low plywood chair.

Profusely and informative illustrated throughout, "Simple Japanese Furniture" will have a special and enduring appeal to novice and professional woodworkers and hand-tool enthusiasts alike. "Simple Japanese Furniture" reflects growing interest in making simple, practical furniture for the home as well as an appreciation of Japanese design -- making it an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Woodworking & Carpentry instructional reference collections.

group monomono is a project team formed in 1970 by Yoshio Akioka, a central figure of the KAK design group. They are based in Tokyo and have been leaders in the revival of woodworking and other handicrafts in Japan. The industrial design firm, KAK was established in 1953 by Yoshio Akioka, Junnosuke Kawa and Itaru Kaneko. They created unique industrial designs while making the most of their individual strengths. All three members were familiar with woodworking, and appeared in magazine articles and on TV shows that introduced woodworking to weekend DIY enthusiasts.