Riki Watanabe

A celebrated industrial designer and a leading figure in Japanese modernism, Riki Watanabe established Japan’s first design studio in 1949. Over the course of his career, he became known for iconic designs like the Himo Isu (Rope Chair) and the Hibiya Clock at Tokyo’s Hibiya Crossing. His work earned numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal at the 1957 Milan Triennale and the Mainichi Industrial Design Prize. Watanabe is widely regarded as a pioneer of post-war Japanese design, shaping the modern aesthetic with his innovative and timeless creations.