ABOUT

In 1986, ASAI Kunihiko was born in Kashima, Ibaraki, the seat of legendary Kashima Shrine, whose history is storied to date back to 660 BCE (when Japan’s first emperor inaugurated). After graduating from Nihon University with architecture major, he was accepted as an apprentice by Kongo Band, the Miyadaiku guild also known as the world’s oldest company organized in 578 CE. In 2016 he started his own company Kichi (Known), later renamed to Kichikara Michie, expanding his palette just from shrine/temple carpentry to old house renovation, tree houses, as well as installations and other forms of art. He was involved in creating a unique series of accommodations called Nipponia (Japan in Latin); e.g., a multi-location hotel nestled in the community of Sawara, a historical riverside port town; old folk houses in a river-source mountain village backside of Tokyo area. In SENSE ISLAND 2019, an art event held in Sarushima, the only natural islet in the Tokyo Bay, ASAI collaborated in the team of Mr. Ken Farmer and Ms, Caroline Maxwell, taking charge of their installations. In 2021, he co-founded a startup, Sawara Iemori Sha, for fostering organic community building and human interactions in Sawara, with Mr. Oshima, a licensed professional architect heading the Blue Studio and other passionate locals.
In 2022, ASAI joined HERITA, an NPO focusing on creative utilization of cultural heritage. His work concept is themed around creating sacred spaces through human activities. He continues to explore new frontiers of wood/ timber work based on his expertise in KIGUMI, traditional timber jointing-framing, and other methods of respecting and utilizing the innate characteristics of wood.