Katō, Tokukichi

Katō Tokukichi is probably best known for his Ring Stool, a small masterpiece on four legs with a colorful doughnut-shaped seat. He first had the idea for the Ring Stool around 1942, when he was a factory manager at Tendō Mokkō. The war was at its height, and Tendō was busy producing supplies for the Japanese military.

With little time at his disposal, Katō continued to work on the design on the side. Finally, after the dust of the war had settled, Tendō produced this little masterpiece in 1955.

The Ring Stool was a bestseller, winning the Good Design Award in 1966. After a hiatus in production, Tendō reissued the Ring Stool in 1990, which is still in production today.

On the initiative of Oyama Fujitarō, Tendō's president at the time, Katō was instrumental in introducing the newly emerging plywood molding technique to the company's production repertoire in the late forties. Moulded plywood would become a pivotal turning point for Tendō, profoundly shaping the subsequent furniture design and production landscape in Japan.

Katō was elected the third president (representative director) of Tendō Mokkō in 1968, succeeding Oyama, and led the company until 1973.

In 1972, the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation recognized Kato's efforts to pursue new production technologies with the Invention Encouragement Award.

In 1978, the Japanese government awarded Katō the Medal of Honor with Yellow Ribbon, given to individuals who have become public role models through their diligence and perseverance.