1/4/22: a new reader has informed me that they believe Hikari Design, about whom I wrote in July of 2021, to be selling knock-offs. After some initial hunting using the artists the reader listed, I discovered that, indeed, many – if not all – of the wares for which Hikari Design is taking credit seem to be at least heavily influenced by other artists.
Alas, I am not a journalist. I take what time I can spare every day to blog about things that I like. It makes me very sad that I promoted a company passing off other artists’ work as their own design, but I’m not sure what I could have done differently. Even knowing now that at least some of Hikari’s designs are knockoffs, I haven’t been able to find any references or reviews saying Hikari steals other artists’ work.
To correct this error, where possible, I have given credit to the original designers below each Instagram post. If anyone knows the artist responsible for any of the unidentified items below, please let me know.
I will endeavor to do better in future, but I can’t promise I won’t be hoodwinked again by another unscrupulous seller. I don’t have the resources or the time to check the reputation of every one of my subjects (and a reputation check of this one wouldn’t have turned up anything illuminating). The only subject on which I am an expert is my own taste, so if I get it wrong once it a while, I hope you lovelies will continue to let me know where I’ve been misled. Thanks for your continued support.
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My OBT 
July 21, 2021 at 6:52 am
Those are really clever. I especially like the ‘air plants’. Mine got lost in the move. Hal
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July 21, 2021 at 9:56 pm
I thought those were fascinating!
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July 21, 2021 at 6:53 am
Now this is the kind of minimalism I can get on board with. Spartan and pared back spaces I cannot do but simple, elegant design definitely appeals to me. The lamp is lovely and I also really like the cutlery and crockery.
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July 21, 2021 at 9:58 pm
It’s remarkable stuff. I, too, lack the restraint to manage minimalism.
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July 21, 2021 at 9:58 pm
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July 21, 2021 at 7:12 am
Yes! They are indeed being copied and so thanks for revealing the original.
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July 21, 2021 at 9:59 pm
It must feel good to be first!
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July 21, 2021 at 7:32 am
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…” I love it all too!
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July 21, 2021 at 9:59 pm
Isn’t that the truth!
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January 4, 2022 at 1:26 am
Their designs are NOT original!!
The cutlery is straight Cutipol.
The flatware is ripped off from Sambonet.
Two of the rug designs are by Sonya Winner.
And the acrylic tables were originally glass by Patricia Urquiola.
Hikari is a reseller (UK based, not Japanese) of tat made in China!
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January 4, 2022 at 10:38 am
Well, that’s disappointing. I’ve reached out to their corporate offices to confirm that their About Us information is incorrect. Thank you for letting me know.
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July 21, 2021 at 7:57 am
Clean!
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July 21, 2021 at 9:59 pm
Yes, very!
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July 21, 2021 at 8:24 am
Just fell down the flatware rabbit hole—I long for the day when no offspring reside with us and we can employ the Paris flatware without fear of finding it glued to the dried milk in a week old bowl of cereal…..I’ll be saving my pennies for the future….
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July 21, 2021 at 9:59 pm
Their flatware is particularly toothsome…
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January 4, 2022 at 1:27 am
Please do basic research Donna, before proclaiming originality.
Nothing about Hikari is original !
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January 4, 2022 at 12:43 pm
I don’t think I deserve your condescending “please do basic research.” I took the claims of originality from the company’s website. After your first comment, I went hunting, and I now see that at least some of Hikari’s wares are based upon other artists’ works. Since I wasn’t familiar with those designs, however, I don’t know how I could have known that they were knock-offs. I have rewritten the post, giving credit to the original designers where I could. I would appreciate your help identifying the origins of the copied items.
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January 4, 2022 at 1:51 pm
I am sure it would have been much easier for you to just delete this post from the back catalogue of OBT posts. I appreciate the effort it took to research the original designs and provide the amended links in addition to making the correction to the post.
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January 4, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Thank you. I appreciate your appreciation!
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January 4, 2022 at 3:04 pm
It is kinda sad but …..it does let some of us get a hold of something we couldn’t afford if it is the real thing. I do think there should be a notice some where that this isn’t the real thing. Of course cost should tell but not always. It’s when we ,or you, pay real price and don’t get real thing that the problem sets in.
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January 4, 2022 at 4:14 pm
I can see how it would be infuriating for someone to design something of which they are proud, only to have another person or company steal their idea and claim it for their own. I just don’t know how to keep from being fooled again…
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