Mineral Sola Cube

3.8 billion years have passed since the one single life began on Earth. Later, these lives evolved into flowers, fruit and seeds. These lives maintained the life cycles for millions upon millions of generations.

The colors and materials each have their own unique purposes. These intriguing shapes have form unpretentiously with each functional purpose by the hand of Mother Nature.

We offer beautifully preserved plants, exquisitely in the form of a 1.6 x 1.6in acrylic cube. Sola cubes can be arrange and combine in multiple patterns to inspire sensitivity and learning. Arrange your Sola cubes, observe them intently, and appreciate the wonder or botanical lives.

By observing a small plant carefully, we are able to glimpse a more perfect world. We express the name “Sola” with the Chinese kanji 宙, which means “universe.” This kanji explains everything we know and don’t know, including time and space, with a single character.

Sola also has another meaning: “blue sky.” An imaginary world spreads out like the sky before us.

Every Sola cube is carefully handmade by an experienced Japanese craftsman, and each one takes considerable time and effort to complete. Outstanding craftsmanship is required to ensure that this small transparent cube, which measures only 4cm, holds a plant at its very center and that no air bubbles get inside.

Manufacturing process:

Step 1 Foundation creation:

In the first step of manufacturing, liquid acrylic is poured into a mold, which is 5-6cm square, slightly larger than the Sola cube. The dried plant is carefully inserted when the liquid hardens toa gel.

Step 2 Pressurization:

Additional liquid acrylic is then poured into the mold.

The mold is placed into a vacuum kiln, then pressurized to force out any air bubbles.

Step 3 Heat treatment:

The product then undergoes a heat treatment. The cube is showered with hot air, at temperatures of 80 degrees for 3-4 hours. This stabilizes the binding of the acrylic, and ensures the cube is durable and long lasting.

Step 4 Processing:

The cube is cut to precisely 4cm on each side, then planed. The corners are rounded and smoothed at the end of this step.

Step 5 Polishing:

The surface of the cube is polished until it is shiny, and a clean, glossy finish is achieved.

These have multi functions, it can be a paperweight, a display piece, whatever you imagine. They are lovely on there own, also collectors items to enjoy the whole set. Each piece is handmade and unique.

New ones include:

Rock Crystal: The ice formed by hot water. In ancient Greek, crystal is known as Fossil of Ice. The world crystal itself meaning ice in Greek, and the root of the word comes from the Greek work Krystalos. However, crystals are not ice, but formed naturally inside hot springs. When the hot springs temperature and pressure become low, with silicic acid inside would slowly crystalize itself. The artificial crystal being used inside clocks has the same material as Rock crystal.

Amethyst: The incarnation of a tragic beauty. An Anecdote from the Greek mythology, has told the formation of this semi-precious stone. Dionysus, the Greek god of wine has been angered by a mortal, and swore to kill the next who came across his path. He has chosen a white tiger to complete the deed. An innocent maiden named Amethystos has fell for this reckfor this reckless revenge. The maiden turned to Artemis for protection and the Goddess only had time to turn into a white marble stone. Dionysus, then regreted his action and wept in grape wine over her and turned it into a beautiful gem stone, which is known as Amethyst

Aragonite: Many of the aragonite has been found around Aragon, Spain. Since the mineral comes in many shapes and colors, we have chosen to place its as a hexagonal crystal object in the acrylic. Although it is a common material that can be found in Morocco, and the shape is very similar to the Russian satellite “Sputnik” and thus has gotten its nickname as the satellite. The main material is made out of calcium carbonate and contains some iron, which gives it its color.

Rikugien Cherry Blossom

It’s Cherry Blossom season in Japan and our happiest time of the year!

Rikugien is one of Tokyo's more beautiful gardens since the Edo period. The name Rikugi-en means Garden of the Six Principles, a reference to the 6 elements that are needed in a garden. The most famous and most photographed weeping cherry tree is a well-known symbol of the gardens, standing 15 meters tall and 20 meters across. This tree is so beloved and ancient that its branches are supported by wooden poles and is given constant care. The blossoms are equally beautiful viewed in the daytime sunshine or against the night sky

There are many places to view cherry blossoms and everyone has their favorites but this tree is exceptional. In Japan we believe that gods live in trees so they are not to be touched carelessly. If you have a chance please visit this beautiful tree!

Good Design Store - Shibuya Scramble Building

“g-mark” Japan GOOD DESIGN award is the largest asian award founded in 1957 and reflects Japanese design values and principles that aim to enrich lives, industries and society. the 'g mark' emblem reflects comprehensive design values and principles that aim to enrich lives, industries and society. For the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, a good design is “a design which enriches life and society.” It is a design which is human, essential, creative, attractive and ethical.

The GOOD DESIGN STORE TOKYO by NOHARA proposes a lifestyle surrounded in items that the GOOD DESIGN AWARD considers to be good design. Each item has been crafted with the intention of enriching the lives of the people that use them.

In the new Shibuya Scramble Building there is a “Good Design” award shop with products that have won the design award. It’s very rare to see this collection of “G -mark” in one star as they come from many different companies and designers.

2-24-12 Shibuya, Tokyo.