Japanese Woodwork (WEEK 1): Photo Frame (Tome-gumi shashin waku)

Iwata Houraiya

Iwata Houraiya is an atelier specialising in the great Japanese wood craft traditions of cabinetmaking, lacquer, gilding and sculpting. Based in the historic Japanese city of Kyoto, it was founded in 1924 and today is owned by the third generation of the Houraiya family.

The atelier’s expert fine woodwork artisans are the guardians of heritage and tradition. Having handcrafted and restored many of Japan’s sacred Buddhist altars, in recent years they have started to form collaborations internationally to share their knowledge and skills with others.

Satoshi Ichihara

Master craftsman Satoshi Ichihara is the guardian of traditional woodworking techniques cultivated over 1,400 years. He practices under Iwata Houraiya, a company that produces and restores Buddhist altars, altar accessories and statues in addition to designing interior spaces for temples. Iwata Houraiya’s works are made to last for centuries, reflecting the skills of their artisans and recognizing the unique properties of each piece of wood used. Their activities also extend to the restoration and preservation of historical wooden pieces, ensuring that they will last for many more centuries to come.

Satoshi Ichihara became an apprentice to his father, a woodworker, at the age of 23. After committing to the quest of achieving true Japanese beauty through the medium of wood, he embarked on studies in Japanese culture and folklore, two important aspects to his practice,
At Iwata Houraiya studio, Satoshi Ichihara continues his journey of creating pieces with his own hands while incorporating a love for philosophy and science. He looks forward to seeing how his industry will embrace technology as it continues to evolve.