TWO TRAY ShikakuS Paper Tray / TAISEI

• Dimensions: W13.5 × D13.5 × H1.6 cm
• Material: Paper (laminated haribako construction)
• Quantity per Set: 3 pieces
• Water-Repellent Coating: Special patented technology, does not alter texture, feel, or color
• Packaging: Nylon poly, individually wrapped
• Colors: Green × Green, Purple × Light Purple, Red × Ivory
• Awards: JIDA MUSEUM SELECTION vol.22; DIA International Design Award 2022

The TWO TRAY is built around a single striking idea: take exceptionally beautiful paper and turn it into a functional object without sacrificing anything that makes it beautiful.

The paper comes from a 200-year-old papermill at the foot of the Alps in southern Germany, produced using Alpine water under government permit. Its deep, saturated colors are the result of an uncompromising papermaking process. To transform flat sheets into a structured tray, TAISEI used the traditional Japanese haribako (paste-box) technique, which laminates two sheets together to create a rigid, self-supporting form.

The harder problem was protecting the paper without ruining it. Conventional water-repellent coatings used in the printing industry alter surface texture and appearance. TAISEI instead applied a patented technology that repels water and resists stains while leaving the paper's original texture, color, and feel completely intact. The same technology is licensed for use in ceremonial garments for Japan's Imperial Family and in the elaborate decorations on Gion Festival floats, where preservation of material character is non-negotiable.

The result is a tray that functions as a vide-poche — a place to deposit keys, coins, or jewelry when you empty your pockets — while holding its own as a decorative object. It was selected for JIDA MUSEUM SELECTION vol.22 and won the DIA International Design Award 2022.