MOEIKOUGEI
Every piece of wood tells a story.
MORI KOUGEI is a wood veneer specialist founded in Tokushima, Japan in 1953.
For over 70 years, we have dedicated ourselves to the art of applying TSUKI-ITA — wood sliced as thin as paper — mastering techniques passed down through three generations of craftspeople.
From our founder to our current president Kenichi Mori, and now to third-generation Hiroyuki Mori — what has been handed down is not only skill and knowledge, but a deep respect for wood and the patience to listen to what each piece has to say.
Tokushima and Its Woodworking Heritage
Tokushima has long been celebrated as a center of fine woodworking in Japan.
The legacy traces back to the 16th century, when the skilled shipwrights of the Awa Navy (阿波水軍) brought exceptional craftsmanship to the region. Their descendants carried those techniques into furniture and cabinetry, making Tokushima renowned across Japan for finely crafted Buddhist altars, dressing tables, and decorative woodwork.
Within this tradition, MORI KOUGEI has held a distinct role: the "Hariya" — the specialist who applies veneer.
Tokushima's woodworking has always been built on a system of skilled specialization: those who shape the wood, those who apply the veneer, and those who finish the surface. For over seven decades, MORI KOUGEI has remained committed to doing one thing with exceptional care.
The Character of Wood Veneer
Every tree carries its own story — shaped by the climate, soil, and years it has lived through.
The grain, color, and texture of each piece of veneer are nature's own expression, unrepeatable and unique.
MORI KOUGEI works with over 90 species of wood veneer sourced from around the world, seeking to draw out the individual character of each material through the way it is applied and composed.
Our signature technique, the Rays method (光線貼り), arranges triangular cuts of veneer in a radial pattern from the center — revealing hidden figures within the wood and creating a surface that shifts in light and shadow depending on the angle of view. This is an expression only wood can offer, and one that cannot be arrived at through calculation alone.
Craft for Everyday Life — Reaching the World
In 2020, we began developing our own line of original products — applying decades of veneer expertise to objects for daily life.
Rays Tray, PLATE, CLOCK, STAND, and more: each piece carries the warmth and quiet beauty of wood into the home.
Following our debut at Maison et Objet (Paris) in 2020, our products have found homes in Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and beyond — bringing Japanese wood craft to a global audience.
Custom Orders & OEM
We also produce decorative plywood panels for a wide range of applications, including furniture, architectural interiors, joinery, and commercial fit-outs.
From wooden trays and table tops to fully custom OEM projects, we take pride in listening carefully to each client's vision and bringing it to life with the precision and knowledge that only decades of experience can provide.
Please feel free to reach out with any enquiries regarding wood species, sizing, or custom projects.