The Makers

The Makers

INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATIONS

Follow along as we meet a select group of creators from across the globe. Discover how they embrace working with new materials and techniques to redefine traditional crafts.

Rodrigo Ortigosa leaning against a wall tile design
Rodrigo Ortigosa combining Japanese rice with other locally sourced ingredients

THE INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER

A Balance of Tradition and Innovation

Rodrigo Ortigosa is the founder of Nami, the world’s first Mexican sake. In this episode, we hear how they use only the finest Japanese rice when making their product. By combining it with other locally sourced ingredients, it adds a fresh twist to a long-established tradition.

Craftsmanship and Good Energy

At Nami, they leave the rice resting for 3 days. Ortigosa is very strict about how it’s cared for: “Everyone who enters this room has to be with a good energy, at peace, and can only say good words”. He believes that bad energy could affect the taste of their sake.

Rodrigo Ortigosa holding a handfull of rice
INFINITI QX55 parked on a street

“We follow the Japanese traditional craft with Mexican heart.”

Rodrigo Ortigosa, Founder of Nami Sake, Mexico City

Rodrigo Ortigosa standing in front of the 2023 INFINITI QX55 crossover coupe SUV

Japanese Craft at INFINITI

We’ve always been passionate about Japanese craft. There is artistry in every detail of the QX55, from the Black Maple trim to the Monaco Red, semi-aniline seats.

We’ve always been passionate about Japanese craft. There is artistry in every detail of the QX55, from the Black Maple trim to the Monaco Red, semi-aniline seats.

We’ve always been passionate about Japanese craft. There is artistry in every detail of the QX55, from the Black Maple trim to the Monaco Red, semi-aniline seats.

More Episodes

Watch all season 1, 2 and 3 episodes here.

The Makers
INFINITI designer Nada Debs leaning on a desk

EP 1 – Nada Debs

In this chapter of The Makers, we meet Lebanese designer Nada Debs, who believes craft is a feeling that goes beyond geography, language and culture. Here, we hear her discuss her creative process in depth.
Taiwanese shoemaker EJ So holding a brown shoe

EP 2 - EJ So

In this second chapter of international inspirations, we hear from Taiwanese shoemaker EJ So, whose focus is on maintaining the value of shoe craftsmanship to produce pieces that will last a lifetime.
Canadian artist Hitoko Okada admiring her hanging art

EP 3 - Hitoko Okada

In this episode we meet Hitoko Okada and discover how she brings traditional materials and techniques together in a contemporary way to create powerful, thought-provoking statement pieces.
Rodrigo Ortigosa, the founder of Nami Sake, leaning against a wooden bar

EP 4 - Rodrigo Ortigosa

In our latest episode, Rodrigo Ortigosa, the founder of Nami Sake discusses how they use a balance of tradition and innovation to create a beautifully refined, modern product.
Close-up view of a Japanese craftsman working in Kyoto, Japan.

EP 1 – Ryue Nishizawa

In the first episode of the new season, we meet Ryue Nishizawa, a Japanese architect based in Tokyo who discusses the connection between luxury, nature and space in Japanese architecture. 
Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban standing on his Zen Wellness Seinei building in Hyogo.

EP 2 – Shigeru Ban

Shigeru Ban is an award-winning Japanese architect known for his innovative buildings and use of unconventional materials. In this episode, he talks about how buildings should exist with nature.
Japanese architect, Junya Ishigami wearing a brown blazer.

EP 3 - Junya Ishigami

In this episode, we meet Junya Ishigami, a talented architect who, when it comes to design, likes to blend traditional elements with new ones. Here, we hear him discuss his creative process in depth.
Japanese architect, Yuko Nagayama, staring up at an orange and black ceiling

EP 4 - Yuko Nagayama

Yuko Nagayama is a leading architect, heavily influenced by texture and nature. In this episode, she talks about how her buildings draw on leaf patterns, water and natural geometry.
Close-up shot of architect Yuri Naruse sitting on wooden furniture

EP 5 - Yuri Naruse

In the final episode of the season, we meet Yuri Naruse, a talented architect whose simple yet functional designs are elevated to create an awe-inspiring feeling.
A Japanese craftsman handling tools in Kyoto.

EP 1 - Takahiro Yagi

Takahiro Yagi’s family-run workshop uses ancient Japanese design practices, such as shitate and mitate, to bring his traditional tea caddy creations to life.
A Japanese craftsman working with metal wires in Kyoto.

EP 2 - Toru Tsuji

At the sight of his tattoos, Toru Tsuji was snubbed by his peers. But like his unique aesthetic, Tsuji-san is using unconventional methods to help his craft thrive.
A Japanese craftsman hammering a wooden bowl in Kyoto.

EP 3 - Shuji Nakagawa

He stepped out alone to forge his own craft. Now, Shuji Nakagawa’s mix of contemporary and modern design aims to redefine Japan’s very definition of beauty.
INFINITI The Makers Episode 4 Preview

EP 4 - Horiki Eriko

Horiki Eriko left a career in banking to become an expert washi maker, a traditional form of Japanese paper-making that dates back over 1300 years. 
INFINITI The Makers Episode 5 Preview

EP 5 - Hosai Matsbayashi

The sixteenth generation of his family to make beautiful tea ceremony wares, Hosai Matsbayashi combines traditional techniques with modern aesthetics.
INFINITI The Makers Episode 6 Preview

EP 6 - Tatsuyuki Kosuga

Tatsuyuki Kosuga used to hang out with biker crews. Nowadays he’s a leading craftsman. He creates everyday objects from natural materials that improve with use and age.
7 Japanese craftspeople standing for a photo.

The Makers Roundtable

The season finale. This episode serves as a wrap up to season 1 of the Makers series. It features all 6 Kyoto craftspeople in deep conversation with Taisuke Nakamura, Head of INFINITI Design, as they delve into modern Japanese craftsmanship, timeless beauty, and more.

The Story Continues

Follow along as we reveal future updates and announcements.