The technology of “molded plywood” emerged during the Sec­ond World War as a response to the limited availability of wood and other natural resources. In 1948, Isamu Saito founded the Saito Woodworking shop in the charming town of Kawane, situated in the Shizuoka prefecture. The shop embarked on the production of exquisite joinery woodworking products, tailor-made furniture, and even baseball bats.

Faced with a scarcity of supplies, Isamu Saito ingeniously utilized plywood and MDF to craft an array of faux-wood items. By 1957, Saito Wood had relocated its factory to Shizuoka City and commenced the production of a wide range of interior household goods. These items boasted graceful curves that not only possessed a remarkable aesthetic appeal but also exhibited a strength and lightness that surpassed the capabili­ties of solid wood.