Modern twist on traditional Japanese design, spearheaded by designer Shinichiro Ogata
In a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese tea culture, designer Shinichiro Ogata has launched Saboe, a series of crafted tea rooms and shops across four spaces in Japan. Ogata's creative vision, rooted in the five elements of nature and local materials, seeks to deliver a unique way of experiencing tea that resonates with modern lifestyles.
At the heart of Saboe's offering is The T. Collection, a carefully composed set of ten teas designed to harmonize with various moments throughout the day. From the invigorating Beni, a black tea blended with grape leaves and red perilla, to the comforting Ko, a hojicha roasted green tea infused with ginger, sansho leaves, and citrus peel, these teas cater to diverse tastes and rhythms of modern daily life.
Ogata's innovative presentation of tea is as significant as the beverage itself. Teas are offered in biodegradable teabags and presented in minimalist, white paper cups, making them accessible and convenient for enjoyment anywhere, not just in formal settings. This eco-friendly approach emphasizes environmental consciousness while maintaining the minimalistic elegance rooted in Japanese design principles.
The Saboe tea rooms themselves act as serene, crafted spaces that provide a calm atmosphere for tea drinking. Combining modern design with traditional elements, these intimate, contemplative environments offer a unique blend of the old and the new. Beyond tea, Ogata also offers modern incense workshops named Kaori, inviting participants to explore Japan’s rich cultural heritage through a sensory experience of incense.
Ogata's work goes beyond surface beauty, expressing a deep aesthetic imprint that honours tradition while innovating for the present day. His projects embody a timeless need for human harmony with nature, conveying his unique creative perspective that preserves Japanese culture and resources while interpreting Japanese aesthetics for the modern world.
In Okayama, Saboe has re-purposed a 100-year-old soy sauce factory and storehouse for a tea room, preserving its old charm while adding new energy. The tea room in Tokyo, Azabudai Hills, features a natural stone finish and decomposable packaging, further emphasizing Ogata's commitment to environmental consciousness.
In essence, Ogata's ventures reflect a creative fusion of tradition and modernity, making Japanese tea culture accessible, functional, and aesthetically resonant for contemporary lifestyles, all while maintaining a profound respect for the cultural and natural origins of tea and incense practices. This positions his work as a thoughtful evolution of traditional Japanese customs, embracing minimalist design, environmental mindfulness, and experiential depth.
In harmony with modern lifestyles, Saboe's The T. Collection serves diverse tea blends that cater to different tastes and rhythms of daily life, such as the invigorating Beni and comforting Ko. Moreover, fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts can immerse themselves in Ogata's modern incense workshops, Kaori, to delve into Japan’s rich cultural heritage and appreciate the sensory experience of incense.
