Suzuki Mohei Shoten, the senventh generation, Ryutaro Suzuki

Ryutaro Suzuki, the seventh-generation head of Suzuki Mohei Shoten, continues a legacy that began in 1865 when the fourth-generation Mohei Suzuki founded Suifu Lanterns in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, home to one of the Tokugawa shogunate’s three branches. The brilliance of Japan’s traditional industries lies in their ability to combine functionality with craftsmanship, as exemplified by the foldable nature of everyday items like lanterns. While preserving the traditional art of lantern-making, Ryutaro Suzuki has also ventured into the future by creating the "Suzumo Lantern"—a functional lighting fixture and art object, born from a collaboration with artist Mick Itaya, which brings new perspectives and innovation to this time-honored craft.

Mic*itaya

Born in 1954 in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Mic*Itaya graduated from Tama Art University in 1976. A visual artist and designer, he is a poetic futurist and romanticist known for his graceful depictions of angels, goddesses, and the shimmering sun and stars. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he has been active in various fields such as music, fashion, and publishing, and has held numerous solo exhibitions. In recent years, he designed the "Suzumo Lantern," a functional Japanese lighting fixture, which earned him the Good Design Award in 2012. In 1982, he published the cassette magazine TRA, which showcased Japanese youth culture through art and music, and it was permanently preserved in the Museum of Modern Art, New York. His media appearances include an interview on the history of the subculture on NHK E-television.