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.
$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
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
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural wood Chair glamping
By Zougei, Hiroyuki Nishimura
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
$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
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 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 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
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
Arthur Umanoff Wood and Rush Sculptural Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural Arthur Umanoff chairs with signature rush back, slatted wood seat, and iron legs. Floating backrest. Look great from all angles. Good vintage condition. Five available. Pr...
Iron
'Le Temoin' Stool by Man Ray for Gavina
By Man Ray, Gavina
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Beautiful example in pristine condition, designed by Man Ray for Gavina's ultramobile exhibition.
Faux Leather, Acrylic, Foam, Plywood
Bookcase/Shelf With 3 Shelves & Wheels In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
19th century mahogany bookcase/shelf. The furniture is furnished with three shelves and detailed turned columns. At the bottom it is mounted with small wheels, which provides both fu...
Mahogany
Vintage French Revolving Library Shelf
Located in Hellerup, DK
Elegant vintage French revolving book shelf - it also has small wheels mounted underneath. The mahogany book shelf is made by Em. Terquem who specialized in furniture for libraries.
Mahogany
Sculptural Solid Wood Chair by Mobius Objects
By Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, AB
Complex yet functional joinery transcends trends making this piece a timeless addition to any interior decor. On it's own or as a set, a contemporary classic. One American Black ...
Wood, Walnut
Pair of French Sculptural Wood and Cane Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible pair of wood and cane chairs from France, 1950s. Sculptural wood frame with slopped cane seat and curved detail on sides. Original wood finish and cane show nice age and p...
Cane, Wood
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$830 / item
H 36.62 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Black Turtle Bookcase, Designed by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) In Stock in Los Angeles A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a...
Metal
$1,418Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 24.02 in W 20.48 in D 9.06 in
Round Shelf with Blue Matte Finish, Colored Glass, by Erik Olovsson
By Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Round shelf with matte Nextel coating. A centered lacquered glass shelf with a brown hand blown glass piece thats included in the shelf. The core is made i...
Cement
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Maple
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$2,304Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 19.3 in D 16.93 in
Sculptural Teak Wood Chair, Stunning Wood Textures, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This remarkable chair is a one-of-a-kind piece, masterfully crafted from an old rice mortar repurposed into functional art. Made from solid teak wood, it showcases the deep character...
Teak
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.75 in W 42.5 in D 12 in
Danish Modern Ten Shelf Rosewood Bookcase in the Style of Poul Hundevad
By Poul Hundevad
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and elegant Danish modern ten shelf rosewood bookcase in the style of Poul Hundevad, circa 1960's. The bookcase is in very good vintage condition, has a gorgeous rosewood grain and beveled edged adjustable shelves. The piece measures 42.5"W x 12"D x 50.75"H and would be a great addition to any MCM office...
Rosewood
Zougei Jenga Sculpture Shelf Bookcase 05
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Jenga Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood ...
Wood
Sold
H 16.54 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool15 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
Sold
H 17.52 in W 12.6 in D 9.45 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool14 Tribal Glamping
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: City man Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Machilus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used fo...
Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 12.21 in D 11.82 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei 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
Sold
H 17.72 in W 11.03 in D 13.78 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool4 Primitive African Art
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Hermit crab Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Cypress. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used...
Wood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool3 tribal glamping
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: A day for going to the ocean Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Quercus. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. ...
Wood
Sold
H 14.38 in W 11.82 in D 12.21 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool2 Primitive African Art
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Foot of mountain Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Quercus. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood...
Wood
Sold
H 18.9 in W 11.82 in D 9.85 in
Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zogei Furniture Sculptural Stool glamping African Art
By Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Mamma Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material zelkova. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws.
Wood