# Sumo Chairs 1960's Japanese Design Wrestles Its Way Into the 21st Century By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-02-02 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sumo-chair-1960s-japanese-design-redux-retro-new-manufacture-seating References: [chairblog.eu](http://www.chairblog.eu/category/chair-designer/isamu-kenmochi-jp/) & [youshiki.au](http://youshiki.com.au) The Kashiwado Chair was created for a famous Sumo wrestler named, of all things, Kashiwado. [Tendo Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-chairs) manufactured the Isamu Kenmochi design in 1961. The original had a [polished cedar frame](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vipassa) overlaid with carved, layered cedar blocks. Kenmochi was known for his combination of traditional materials with new technologies and modern aesthetics. Though it is a Japanese design, it was influenced by the lifestyle of the post-WWII West. The chair has been recreated and is available through various distributors from the sixty-year-old plywood furnishings manufacturer Tendo Mokko. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Post-wwii Furniture Design:** There is an opportunity to integrate traditional materials with new technologies and modern aesthetics for post-WWII furniture designs. - **Japanese-influenced Decor:** There is an opportunity to incorporate Japanese design elements into modern home decor. - **Revival of Older Designs:** There is an opportunity to revive older designs from the past and introduce them to a new generation. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture Manufacturing:** There is an opportunity for furniture manufacturers to tap into the post-WWII design trend and create modern furniture with traditional materials. - **Home Decor:** There is an opportunity for home decor companies to incorporate Japanese design elements into their products and create a unique style for modern homes. - **Vintage Furniture:** Vintage furniture companies can take advantage of the trend of reviving older designs and introduce them to a new audience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Aesthetically Pleasing Minimalist Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-chairs.md) - [Sleek Minimal Cohesive Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sand-chair.md) - [Distinctive Craftsmanship Seating Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koyori-wooden-chairs.md) - [Collaborative Drapey Upholstered Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidahida-chair.md) - [Chunky Cylindrical Lounge Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umi-armchair.md) - [Comfortable Artful Sculpted Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asari.md) - [Modular Vibrant Rounded Sofas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sumo-sofa.md) - [Woven Midcentury Seating Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kida-armchair.md) - [Contemporary Boxy Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-boxy-chair.md)