I’ve been making handcrafted furniture for over 30 years. It all started back in a small shop on the mountainside of rural Japan. In the pursuit of creating something “original”, I have honed my skills to create what I consider to be functional art. Trained in traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, I aspire to create furniture that is beautiful, playful, functional, and will last for years to come. From selecting the wood to the design, crafting the pieces to the final touches, I pour my soul into each stage of the process without compromise. Each piece begins with intention, guided by the natural grain, weight and character of the wood. I don’t just work with materials; I listen to them, allowing their unique qualities to inform the direction of the design. Equally important is the environment in which the finished piece will live. I consider everything—from exposure to natural light, to the principles of feng shui, to whether it will be placed in a corner or command the center of a room. All of these elements influence not just how the piece looks, but how it feels.

Getting to know the man behind the “hands”

Masao Yoneda

Born in Nara, Japan.

Chef turned wood worker in my late 30s.

Moved to the U.S. in 2020.

Operating out of a small workshop near Sherman, TX.