George Nakashima and Naomi Raymond

Exhibited at DESIGN MIAMI.PARIS 2023 Nakashima was employed by the architect Antonin Raymond to help design Saint Paul's Church in Karuizawa, Japan in 1935. The architectural members of the church were peeled cryptomeria logs, a sacred wood, and the chairs were made from branches of the tree. They are the earliest pieces designed by Nakashima, probably in collaboration with Noemi Raymond, Antonin's wife and partner. Until these turned up in New Zealand, there were only 2 known to exist, both in Japanese museums. Made from the branches of the cryptomeria tree, these chairs are made from peeled cryptomeria and jute. Mira Nakashima considers this to be George’s first furniture design.