Soetsu Yanagi, a 19th century Japanese philosopher known for initiating the Mingei movement, has redefined how we understand the significance of craft in our everyday life.

In his writing on the 'The Beauty of Everyday Things' proposed a quietly radical idea: that true beauty lives not in rare showpieces, but in well-made, functional objects used in daily life. He called this yō no bi, the beauty of use and through his writings and the establishment of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, he helped shift global design culture toward a deeper appreciation of humble, hand-touched objects.

Today, his thinking feels especially relevant for the home. In a world of fast production and disposable goods, Yanagi’s legacy reminds us that the pieces we return to every day — the ones made with care and material honesty — are often the ones that bring the most lasting sense of warmth, character, and meaning into our spaces.

The name TROPISM translates to the adaptation of nature to the encompassing environment. This can be seen through how the branch of a tree grows towards the sun. Similar to the values we stand by within TROPISM, our objects are the reflection of materials, knowledge and techniques available within our region and our climate. Designing through receptivity and response to our surrounding environment, we are on our journey in showcasing the embodied wisdom and beauty of local crafts.