A woodworker from Gifu Prefecture. Masaru Kawai studied architecture at university, and trained as a woodworker in Hida and upholstery in Kyoto before establishing his own workshop. Currently, he has set up his studio in his hometown of Mino. In addition to creating works that showcase the unique qualities of wood, such as furniture and tableware, he actively engages in activities to promote the Japanese aesthetic of wood and the charm of coniferous trees through his own brand “SOMA.”