To promote the ancient art of Japanese bathing, designers Ryu Kosaka and Yukio Hashimoto were commissioned by the Furo Project to create two contemporary yet distinct ofuros. Kosaka utilized hinoki wood as the basis of his design because of its aromatic fragrance and inherent medicinal properties. In contrast, Hashimoto used lacquer as his core concept because the material itself is representative of Japan. While notedly different, both are intended to improve one's well-being through the relaxation of mind and body.