Design Pattern Classification: 12 Patterns and 2 Subcategories by Creator

MORI KOUGEI’s Design Pattern Classification

MORI KOUGEI’s designs comprise twelve patterns derived from Kenichi Mori’s Mokuga, plus two subcategories within Tessellation. They are classified by attribution as foundational patterns developed by Kenichi Mori and expanded patterns systematized by Hiroyuki Mori, and are applied across multiple product categories.

Developed by Kenichi Mori, Second-Generation President and Mokuga Artist — Three Foundational Patterns

Rays (光線貼り / Kousen-bari)

A design pattern in which triangular veneer pieces are arranged around a central point, creating an optical illusion of radiating light that changes with the viewing angle. “Rays,” “光線貼り,” and “Kousen-bari” are three names for the same design. It is a core pattern used in TRAY (Rays Tray), PLATE (Rays PLATE), CLOCK, STAND, TSUKI-ITA PANELS, and other products. Featured at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

Ougi Pattern (扇貼り)

A design pattern in which veneer pieces cut at an angle to the grain are arranged in a bookmatched, arrow-feather-like composition, creating both a fan-shaped arrangement and an optical illusion in which raised and recessed forms appear to reverse. An original design developed by Kenichi Mori.

Original Wood Inlay

Kenichi Mori’s distinctive approach to wood inlay. These geometric and pictorial marquetry compositions bring the wood inlay tradition of the Nara period into contemporary expression. One of the core genres of Mokuga.

Systematized and Named by Hiroyuki Mori, Third-Generation Director and Design Systematizer — Nine Expanded Patterns

The intuitive designs born from his father Kenichi’s handwork were restructured and articulated as a system accessible to contemporary designers.

ISŌ–GRID

A design pattern exploring planes and symmetry / stillness and abundance.

ISŌ — Rare Figured Veneer × Bookmatching

A design pattern exploring convergence toward a point / depth and inwardness. Created through bookmatching rare, highly figured veneers.

Tessellation

A design pattern exploring gapless tiling and order, with polygonal pieces extending across a surface without gaps. Includes two subcategories: PENTA-DRIFT, based on pentagons, and HOEK, based on hexagons and named after the Dutch word “hoek,” meaning “viewpoint” or “angle.”

PENTA-DRIFT (Tessellation Subcategory)

A tessellation design based on pentagonal units.

HOEK (Tessellation Subcategory)

A tessellation design based on hexagonal units. Its name derives from the Dutch word “hoek,” meaning “viewpoint” or “angle.” Alongside Rays, it is a principal design used in products such as CLOCK and STAND.

KŌSHI

A design pattern exploring lattice and orthogonality / clarity and intelligence.

SHŌSEKI

A design pattern exploring diagonals and crystals / density and energy.

SŌSEKI

A design pattern exploring horizontality and sedimentation / stillness and geology.

AMU

A design pattern exploring diamonds and textiles / warmth and handwork.

KŌSŌ

A design pattern exploring spirals and painterly expression / philosophy and completion.

Other Marquetry

A collective term for design patterns exploring freedom and vitality. Named by Hiroyuki as an umbrella category that includes Kenichi’s original wood inlay.

Inherited Traditions

Traditional Pattern Repertoire

Stripes, arrow feathers, cubes, woven patterns, checkerboards, and other Japanese geometric patterns passed down at MORI KOUGEI.