An Island of Light1- 30 September 2026
Tsutomu Iwasaki
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Tsutomu Iwasaki

Wood carving

Toyama, Japan

From fruit to sculptural object

Tsutomu Iwasaki is a sculptural wood carver based in Toyama city, Japan. After graduating from the department of sculpture at Musashino Art University in 1995, he studied under the sculptor Minami Tada. His skills were further honed by working under his father, an Inami woodcarving master, before taking the step to open his own studio, Kibori Iwasaki, in 2008. Guided by traditional wood carving techniques, Tsutomu creates realistic art pieces that feature in temples and Michelin-starred restaurants as well as art galleries. His works are included in collections such as the Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum and he has showcased his art in major exhibitions across Japan.

For Homo Faber 2026, Tsutomu presents Kaki, a highly realistic piece of work featuring his signature persimmon motif that reinvents the fruit as an object. The piece was created using the traditional Japanese carving technique known as ichiboku-zukuri, or single-block carving, where the entire piece is meticulously sculpted from one solid block of wood. “The conceptual depth and breath-taking precision of the persimmons I create have earned me immense critical acclaim both in Japan and internationally, capturing the essence of the fruit with remarkable realism,” he says. Tsutomu continues to pursue a unique world of realistic expression imbued with deep narrative elements.

Discover his work

Tsutomu Iwasaki

Woodcarver

Toyama, Japan

ADDRESS

Address upon request, Toyama, Japan

AVAILABILITY

By appointment only

PHONE

+81 764377210

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