Hajime and Yasuo Ishikura Japanese

Together, brothers Hajime (b.1948) and Yasuo Ishikura (b. 1953) have developed iron molding techniques unrivaled in contemporary Japanese functional art. The simple structure and iconic rustic-black skin are characteristics of the Ishikura brothers’ hammering techniques. Forged at their shared studio in Shiga prefecture, the metalworks of Hajime and Yasuo Ishikura were featured in international metal design exhibitions and publications in Germany and Japan. The Ishikura brothers’ architectural integrations and forged artworks are in Hita City’s cultural center, the Kurashiki Central Hospital, and Toranomon Shiva Church. 

Biography:

1948       Born in Kyoto - Hajime Ishikura
1953       Born in Kyoto - Yasuo Ishikura
1979       Established "Forge Works" in Nishigamo, Kyoto, Japan
1980       Moved to Koto-cho, Aichi-gun, Shiga, Japan

Exhibitions:

1986       Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan
1986       "METAL LIGHTING '88", Koblenz, Germany
1991       "IN SIDE Exhibition" at Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan
1995       "AN EXPLORATION OF IRON THROUGH THE SENSES", Glasgow, Scotland
2002       "THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL METAL DESIGNERS' EXHIBITION 2002", ALLGAU, Germany
2003       "6. INTERNATIONALE METALLGESTALTER-AUSSTELLUNG", ECKERNFORDE, Germany
2003       "Iron, Furniture and Light", Ginza Ippodo Gallery - Gotenyama, Tokyo, Japan

2005       "wrought iron furniture and doors", Ginza Ippodo Gallery - Zakurozaka, Tokyo, Japan
2007       "The International Asian Art Fair", New York
2011       "Various iron works", Yamaki Bijutsu, Osaka, Japan
2013       MASTER PIECE LONDON, London, United kingdom
2017       "Two Person Exhibition", Ginza Ippodo Gallery, Tokyo, Japan 

Art Fairs:

2022　   Design Miami, Miami, Florida

2023　   Design Miami, Miami, Florida

Public Collections:

1990       Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Center, Japan
1992       Candlestick for Hakodate Trappistine Monastery, Hokkaido, Japan
1993       Monument for Ura-no-Bashi, Ise, Mie, Japan
1996       Furniture Design for University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, Japan
1997       Sheep Gate and Sakura Gate for Miyagawa Elementary School, Ashiya, Japan
1999       Ironwork for Hikiyama Museum, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
2000       Ironwork for Tottori Prefectural Budokan, Tottori, Japan
2004       Ironwork for Osaka Shinai College Cathedral, Osaka, Japan
2007       Relief work for Budoria Hita, Civic Cultural Center, Hita, Oita, Japan
2010       Bench, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
2018       Lattice, Kurashiki ivy square drawer, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
2019       Baptismal Table, Offering Table, Communion Table Production for Japan Christian Church - Shiba Church, Toranomon, Tokyo, Japan

Publication:

Metall Design International 2004(Year Book), Verlag HEPHAISTOS, Germany

"Our journey began when we read an article in a book, and after various encounters and trial and error, we arrived at our current studio. "

–The Ishikura Brothers