For more than one hundred forty years, the skilled craftsmen at Matsuoka International have upheld the time-honored traditions of Japanese culture. As in other countries, on the wedding day, it is customary for family and friends of young Japanese couples to bestow lavish gifts upon the newlyweds. In "society" in Japan, the groom may be regaled with a fine house. The bride will almost always be given a magnificent endowment of beautiful furniture pieces. With these gifts, the young couple may start, in proper style, their road to a prosperous life.

The art of creating bridal furniture is very special in the context of Japanese society. It is steeped in tradition and deep cultural significance. The work must be informed by the highest understanding of fine furniture craft, aspiring to the loftiest ideals of excellence and perfection. This reflects a belief that the bride, coming into the marriage, is herself an image of unsullied perfection. It is no wonder that this tradition should have become the foundation of the heirloom and fashion furniture industry in the country. Not only royal or noble (Samurai) clientele, but also anyone who wanted something very special, would approach the "best of the best" in this traditional metier, in the expectation that the same standards of refinement and excellence so lovingly embraced in "Bridal" work, would be incorporated into filling their own home furnishing needs. It is a sacred trust.

The following are some of the features considered obligatory for all bridal furnishings; aspects of the craft, which are fully embraced in the work completed by best of the best.

Principles for the construction of "perfect" cabinetry.

• Drawers, Latches and Hinges are vital elements of bridal furniture. Each moving component is integral to the beauty, utility and longevity of the piece. Hinges are the gateways to the treasures in the home, and must be infinitely durable. Each hinge is tested over 5,000 times to ensure that the doors and drawers function properly.
• Joinery is considered an essential focus, for creating furniture with great visual appeal, and unparalleled strength. All joints are meticulously engineered and matched to convey perfection of form and function.
• Precision Engineering and Fine Woodworking Craft. By understanding the engineering characteristics and the myriad organic properties of so many different species of wood, Matsuoka harnesses the strength and flexibility of the materials themselves. The company fashions stunning pieces of superb structural integrity.
• Dovetailing, proper doweling and precise hand matching of component parts, all executed with single species wood sampling, assure proper fit and finish of a masterpiece.
• The incorporation of the most precise principles of construction, and an intimate understanding of wood husbandry and applied materials engineering in product detailing assures solid joinery that resists warping under the stress of use.
• Attention to detail imparts a quality that has been characterized as an "effortless elegance" to every Matsuoka masterpiece.
• Dovetails: Dovetails are meticulously cut, interlocking trapezoidal notches that allow for the natural expansion and contraction of the wood.
• Wooden Pegs: Our master craftsmen have made the process of creating functional furniture pieces without the use of nails into a fine art. Metal nails rust, and plastic components degrade; only wooden pegs speak to the true nature of the wood and are able to move and breathe with it. By manipulating the distinctive and profound properties of wood, Matsuoka is able to craft furniture that transcends utilitarian ends, and becomes art.
• Paulownia wood: Steeped in historical importance, and traditional customs, Paulownia is both an important aspect of Japanese culture and a sustainable asset for the future. Paulownia is a fast-growing plant, dubbed the "Phoenix Tree" for its ability to regenerate from a stump. This material is naturally insect-proof and antibacterial; and the wood is light in weight and resistant to cracking. This resource is a vital aspect of the "Bridal Furniture" tradition and the fashion furniture industry that has arisen out of it. In a tradition dating back 400 years, a Japanese family would plant a Paulownia tree to celebrate the birth of a female child. By the time the child came of age, and was to be wed, the tree would be felled to create an heirloom piece of beautiful furniture - meant to be a lifelong treasure in the new household, both in honor of one of life's most important transitions - from maidenhood to marriage - and as a lasting memorial to the deep love of parents.

The Aesthetic of Matsuoka: Splendor for the fleeting moments of life

Magnificent Materials: The making of Bridal furnishings is an expression of love. It is a celebration of the finest things in life. To this end, only premium materials, shaped by the artistry of the most distinguished craftsmen do the medium justice. This explains why royal, celebrity and high end, collector clientele have sought out the masters at Matsuoka for more than 140 years to meet all of their fine furniture requirements. Matsuoka has at its disposal all of the finest woods in the world. It traditionally works with more than 70 species and selected cuts. To these are added embellishments of rich visual and tactile interest. Some examples of the thousands of disparate media deployed by our diverse and talented artists include:

• Celebes ebony, the rarest - and considered, by connoisseurs, to be the most beautiful - of the species, is the epitome of sophistication. This is the "Ebon" of poetry, allied with the names of kings and princes in the poetry of the ages.
• Red sandalwood, an exquisite hardwood, renowned in the East for its workability, and used by craftsmen all over Asia for the most intricate carving and inlay;
• Expressive, flashing Sycamores, whose grains capture light, diffuse it in colorful arrays and reflect it back to eye of the observer in interesting and varied patterns controlled by inspiration of designer or the veneering artist.
• Elegant Mahoganies (cathedraled, burled, crotch) - grains which grace the homes of the world's most illustrious and discriminating connoisseurs.
• Patterned and Burled Walnuts, richly grained to provide elegant swirls, or bold, cathedraled patterns.
• Exotic woods from all over the globe, including expressive varieties of Rosewood, Japonica, New Guinea Walnut, African Wenge, Sapelli, Cherries, and Quince.
• Adornments with precious metal: solid gold gilding, refined silver leaf work, nickel jeweled accessories and hardware; premium stainless steel.
• Selections of marble, stone and semi-precious stone chosen from all over the globe.
• Hand stitched Italian leather.
• Lacquer arts, Calligraphy and painting. Urushi and carl lacquer impart a profound visual interest and superior protective qualities to many substrates. The centuries' old Asian arts of splendid calligraphic design and masterful hand painting can be seen in many of the most cherished of our designs.
• Inlay, Sculptural Design: To provide a synergy of utility and aesthetics, the natural talent, centuries of tradition and modern technology come together in the details of Matsuoka's masterpieces. Each piece is hand crafted and engineered for excellence. The use of fine carving techniques on embellishments gives each piece a unique character and soul.
• UV enhanced Coating: Though the company excels in the deployment of a host of hand applied finishes (various fills and sheens of nitro-cellulose; polyurethanes, etc.), to truly showcase the natural beauty and splendor of some of the most magnificent materials on the planet, Matsuoka often employs the use of polyester resins, applied to achieve a brilliant shine, and to highlight the fullest visual expression of the grain. Each is individually hand rubbed to perfect clarity. UV coatings have added utilitarian benefits; A coating of UV not only showcases the innate patterns of the natural materials, but also protects the finished piece from dust and the normal wear of use. Common activities such as cleaning and dusting are easily accomplished with a damp cloth instead of harsh chemicals.

Quality and Excellence are the most highly prized traits of traditional Japanese culture. Japanese custom holds that if the bridal endowment of fine furniture is not flawless this somehow suggests that the bride's standing and reputation might be of poor quality. Furniture provided to newlyweds symbolizes the aspirations and social position of the family and of the new couple. In like manner, fine households must be embellished by only the highest quality furnishing. Only the most proficient artisans, the most superb materials, the most luxurious furniture suffice to carry the pride of the family name to the next generation. Even today, "Bridal" furniture is highly prized in Japan, and by cognoscenti around the world. Matsuoka International is a proud participant in this elegant tradition: Furnishings executed with exquisite taste, and a passion for excellence to fill homes, recreational and work spaces with loveliness and luxury for generations.

Matsuoka, Flawless for more than 140 years.