Riki Watanabe (1911 - 2013)

Riki Watanabe (1911-2013) was a founding figure of modern Japanese design. Trained at the Tokyo College of Art and Technology, he began his career alongside German architect Bruno Taut, whose modernist and humanist approach had a lasting influence on him. In 1949, Watanabe established the Riki Watanabe Design Office, Japan's first independent design studio, and went on to create iconic pieces such as the Rope Chair (1952) and his minimalist wall clocks, known for their clarity, functionality, and refined Japanese aesthetic. A pioneer in promoting design as a recognized profession, he co-founded the Japan Industrial Designers Association (JIDA) and the Japan Design Committee with key figures such as Sori Yanagi, Isamu Kenmochi, and Kenzo Tange. Together, they helped shape a uniquely Japanese design language that blends Western modernism with traditional craftsmanship and sensibilities. His work was celebrated in the 2006 exhibition "Riki Watanabe - Innovation of Living Design" at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Some of his designs, like the Riki Ring Wall Clock, are also featured in the MoMA Design Store, reflecting the international acclaim his work continues to receive.