Hiroyuki Nishimura uses reclaimed wood and scavenged materials to produce outwardly sculptural, provocative furniture and decor. Harvesting felled and abandoned trees from the Shonan and Izu Peninsula areas of Japan, Nishimura chooses to work in the medium that speaks to him. Zougei Inc. is the name of his furniture studio in Yugawara, Japan.
While much of the wood Nishimura reclaims is largely deemed unsuitable for conventional furniture or for any other building projects, his proficiency with sculpture proves otherwise, with the artist-designer bringing new life to the material and creating interesting bookcases, side tables and magazine racks through hand-carving techniques and the occasional use of a chainsaw. Nishimura works with the shape of any given fallen tree — he rarely works against the natural form of his chosen material — and creates works that hold a primal appeal and often resemble ancient totemic artifacts.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Nishimura attended the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1986. After graduating, he began working as a prep school teacher, while also pursuing his love of art through sculpting wood. In 2008, Nishimura opened his own studio Zougei Inc. Today, Zougei has production facilities alongside Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Nishimura has won several awards and performed many solo exhibitions throughout his career. His numerous accolades include the Silver Award at the 8th Kajima Sculpture Competition in 2004 and the Grand Prize Award at the 10th Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition in 2010. His many exhibitions include solo shows at the Sekiguchi Art Museum in Tokyo and the GEM Art Gallery of Tokyo.
Find Zougei furniture on 1stDibs.
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf F2
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Top of the stone Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displa...
Wood
$18,000 / item
Zougei console table Tribal Style 1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Tavola Stretta Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: White oak This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displa...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 26 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Pancake Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Stool Side Table sculpture 13
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Waves of grass low table Sculptural stool or side table by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of cha...
Wood
Zougei wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase Televisore
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
$4,600 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 3
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Porter Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei Furniture Sculptural Stool table 20 Tribal Zen
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Stone beach Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's works are...
Wood
$3,150Sale Price / item|30% Off
Zougei Furniture Sculptural table 12 tribal style
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: 8x8 Sculptural table by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's works are unable ...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 6 side table high stool
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: I'm home Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: oak This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf f...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 5
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Kakashi Wind Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displayi...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool pale tone 3 tribal style
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Young Lady Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova pale tone finish This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 31 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Hula Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: White oak This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood ...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 4
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Kakashi Mountain Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also disp...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Stool Side Table sculpture 12
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Waves of grass Sculptural stool or side table by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. It...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Stool Side Table sculpture 15
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Large pillar Sculptural stool or side table by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. It's...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf F1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Top of the stone Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displa...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 28 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: On the glass Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of...
Wood
$5,000 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 2
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Nomad Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf ...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool6 glamping
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Male star Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: zelkova. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used f...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Wood Stool11 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Boy Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Shiiki This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's works are unabl...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool19 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: A day go to the hill Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Cypress This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of w...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 22 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Nougat Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for N...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Child Chair Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Because a bus passed Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Yoshino cherry This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Ni...
Wood
Zougei wold wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase K1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural wood Stool12 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Weight Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: magnolia This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's works are ...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool pale tone 1 tribal style
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Mushroom Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova pale tone finish This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most o...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei Furniture Sculptural Stool Table 21 Tribal Zen
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Zen Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's works are una...
Wood
$2,080Sale Price / item|35% Off
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 32 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Torso Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood u...
Wood
Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool pale tone 2 tribal style
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cannele Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova pale tone finish This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool16 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: A thread windings Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Machilus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of woo...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura Zougei Sculptural Side Table Stool 27 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Under the ground Sculptural stool by Zogei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura's w...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural wood Chair glamping
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Irritable person Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: zelkova. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood...
Wood
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei Furniture Sculptural Stool 3 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: A day for going to the ocean Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Cypress This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. M...
Wood