PROFILE
Keikou Nishimura I
The grandfather of the founder, Heiichi (1900-1945), came to Kyoto from Yonago in Tottori to become an apprentice to the lacquer ware master Kouunsai Tanaka, who was a descendant of Soutetsu Nakamura. He learnt the technique of overcoating and became independent. He specializes in the top-coating of bowls and other tableware.
Keikou Nishimura II
The second generation, my father Isao (1932-2012), studied under his uncle Keisai Inoue, a pupil of the first generation. He specialized in painting the finishing coat of tea ceremony utensils. His most famous work is with the lacquerer Mutsumi Suzuki (whose father is Hyousaku Suzuki II).
Keikou Nishimura III
Kei (1966-) studied under Hyousaku Suzuki III and later under his father, Keikou II. His works range from tea ceremony utensils, tableware and bentwood to art pieces. Keikou II was greatly influenced by Mutsumi Suzuki's work, which he worked on as a finishing lacquerer. Keikou III’s bentwood works are the fruits of this influence.
Left, Keisai Inoue, the nephew and apprentice of Keikou I.
Photo Naoyuki Ogino
KEIKOU III NISHIMURA
KEIKOU NISHIMURA URUSHI ART STUDIO
| 1966 | Born in Kyoto, the eldest son of Keikou Nishimura II, a master lacquerer. |
| 1985 | Graduated from Kyoto City Dohda Senior High School of Art, Department of Lacquerware Became an apprentice to Hyousaku Suzuki III. |
| 1994 | Became independent as an heir to the family business |
| 2003 | Certified as a "Traditional Craftsman" by the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries. |
| 2008 | Assumed the name of Keikou Nishimura III. |
Solo Exhibition
| 2016 | "Keikou Nishimura Exhibition: Nuritate", Kaho Gallery, Kyoto "Keikou Nishimura Exhibition", Imura Art Gallery, Kyoto |
| 2019 | "Keikou Nishimura Exhibition" Kaho Gallery (Kyoto) "Keikou Nishimura Exhibition - Interactive Form" Takashimaya Kyoto Art Gallery, Kyoto |
| 2020 | "Dialogue -Another story-" Galerie Ashiya Schule (Kobe) |
| 2021 | "Keikou Nishimura Exhibition" Kaho Gallery, Kyoto |
Group Exhibition
| 2010 | Two person exhibition "Raku and Urushi" Espace Culturel Bertin Poiree, Paris |
| 2014 | "The Beauty of Materials" Galerie Marianne Heller, Heidelberg "One Vessel, One Confection", Mitsukoshi, Nihonbashi, Tokyo |
| 2015 | "Kyoto Lacquerware", Miyako Messe, Kyoto, Awarded the Kyoto Prefectural Governor's Prize |
| 2016 | "Kyoto Lacquerware Exhibition" at Miyako Messe, Kyoto, awarded the Mayor of Kyoto Prize |
| 2018 | "SHOKUNIN" Portland Japanese Garden, Portland |
| 2019 | "Reborn Tradition - Contemporary Japanese Crafts from the Ise Collection" The Museum of Fine Arts, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
| 2020 | "Savoir-faire des Takumi Dialogue and Co-creation" Atelier de Paris, Paris Nihonbashi Takashimaya Arts and Crafts Salon, Tokyo |
Art Fair
| 2013 | "collect 2013", Saatchi Gallery, London |
| 2017 | "Singapore Art Stage" Marina Bay Sands, Singapore "Art Fair Tokyo 2017" Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan "Kogei Kanazawa 2017" The Share Hotels KUMU, Kanazawa |
| 2018 | "Art Fair Tokyo 2018", Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo |
| 2020 | "collect 2020", Somerset House, London |
