Kenta Hirai (b. 1984) creates furniture under the concept of “furniture that challenges established notions,” using Yoshino cedar, an esteemed wood from Nara Prefecture, and a bentwood technique—mastered through his training with Irish furniture artist Joseph Walsh—called free form lamination. Yoshino cedar is traditionally used in architecture and typically traded in lengths of around four meters, allowing for the creation of seamless, knot-free furniture.
Biography
1984 Born in Shizuoka, Japan
2007 BFA in Environmental Design, Kyoto University of Art and Design
2007 Joined Shimizu Corporation, Kansai Division, Design Department
2010 Completed woodworking training at Takumi no Juku, Hida Takayama
2012 Worked at Joseph Walsh Studio, Ireland
2016 Relocated to Kawakami Village, Nara, through Japan’s Regional Revitalization Cooperation Program
2017 Founded studio Jig
2018 Selected as Nara representative for LEXUS NEW TAKUMI PROJECT 2018
Recognized as one of the “Featured Takumi (Master Artisans)”
2019 Participated in LEXUS NEW TAKUMI PROJECT 2019
Produced a collaborative work with Kengo Kuma
Selected Awards
2017 Bronze Leaf Award, International Furniture Design Fair Asahikawa
2017 Excellence Award (Commissioner of the Forestry Agency Award), Wood Design
2021 Excellence Award, Traditional Craft Revitalization Contest
2023 Selected for JIDA Design Museum Selection
2024 Grand Prize, Japan Traditional Culture Grand Prix
Exhibitions
2018–2026 “Flying Birds” Exhibition, Ippodo Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo
