[Hishida Construction Co., Ltd.] “Connecting Ghana and Japan” – A carpenter and artist’s traditional woodworking combined with contemporary art. The “Tower of Peace” was created at the Kanazu Sosaku no Mori Museum of Art in Fukui.
Hishida Construction Co., Ltd. Press release: October 29, 2025 To Members of the Press “Connecting Ghana and Japan” – A carpenter artist combines traditional woodworking with contemporary art. He created a “Tower of Peace” at the Kanazu Sosaku no Mori Museum of Art in Fukui. The new structures for the Moon Tower and E-waste Tree were
constructed using a new construction method called “Disc-Shachijime,” which utilizes Japanese carpentry techniques.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-8f48b68e525098f4e13301df2e58c478-1170×1736.jpg Shohei Hishida, carpenter and artist and representative of Hishida Construction Co., Ltd. (Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture), participated in an exhibition of contemporary artist Shingo Nagasaka’s work and created a collaborative piece. The work is on display at the Kanazu Sosaku no Mori Museum in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture, until Sunday, December 14th. In this exhibition, the structural components of Nagasaka’s signature work, “Moon Tower,” are constructed using Hishida’s original new construction method, “Enbanshachijime,” while the structural components of “E-waste Tree” utilize the traditional Japanese timber frame construction method. In addition, by using wood from Hishida’s hometown, Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture, the exhibition achieves a fusion of traditional Japanese woodworking techniques and contemporary art. Based on the philosophy of “artisans from around the world supporting Ghana,” a new form of art that connects the local community and the global community has been born. Background | “Handicrafts” that connect the world to the future
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-f54471f1a3c321d8a5153fa79a51f396-2025×2700.jpg The two first met at Nagasaka’s solo exhibition held in Nagoya in the spring of 2024. Hishida purchased Nagasaka’s masterpiece, Lake of Truth, at the exhibition, and the two artists resonated with each other, sharing their shared passion for “changing society through the hands of artisans.” Subsequently, Hishida accompanied Nagasaka on his town development project in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, where he taught local charred cedar making and woodworking techniques. This activity led to the current collaboration at Kanazu Forest of Creation. Hishida has interacted with artisans throughout Europe and Japan, and has witnessed firsthand the current state of handcrafts, which are being lost. This project aims to “redefine the value of handcrafts and artisans,” placing structure itself at the center of its concept. Work introduction 《MOON TOWER》
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-0481a9bd790d8253da963c1b0fe6d2f6-1170×1736.jpg This monument is based on the moon, which Nagasaka has always depicted as a symbol of peace. It was first created in 2019 using recycled plastic bottles in collaboration with the people of Agbogbloshie, Ghana. A new version incorporating 3D printing technology, plant-based materials, and solar panel power generation was unveiled on Shodoshima Island in 2022. The Moon Tower featured in this exhibition is a new creation created in collaboration with local junior high school students and community volunteers, while retaining the concept of Nagasaka’s previous works. Hishida was in charge of the structural components of the tower, and incorporated into the design the way the timber structure would change over time. The wood responds to the forest environment, and over time the tower will change its appearance as a “breathing tower.” 《E-waste Tree》
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-7bda8708240a62597b77b89efb1330f5-1170×1736.jpg This monument originates from a 7-meter-tall sculpture installed in front of the MAGO E-waste Museum in Ghana in 2019. It was created in collaboration with local people in Agbogbloshie, a slum where discarded electronic devices from developed countries are collected, with the theme of “a tree that grows by absorbing the residual energy of polluted earth.” For the “E-waste Tree” in this exhibition, Hishida was responsible for the structural components. It combines Ghanaian electronic waste with a single Japanese cedar tree, supporting a lifelike, organic form with a timber-framed structure. The branch-like structure of metal and electronic components takes root in the ground as a “breathing sculpture” that connects nature and man-made, technology and philosophy. Production Details | A fusion of the traditional “Disc Shachijime” technique and local materials Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-197b60c1cd3931b51295403b1b8d5d35-1802×2700.jpg The structural components were assembled in the local forest by Hishida and two of his fellow carpenters. The production process is a continuous process from morning to evening, using axes and hammers to carve, plan and fit wood together. No adhesives or metal fittings are used, and the pieces are fitted together while reading the direction of the wood fibers, humidity and the flow of force.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-6ef9c73b234190d3dedeb5485675bdb1-1170×1734.jpg The newly developed construction method, “Enbanshachijime,” combines strength and flexibility through the use of circular wooden plates and wedges. During the work, local staff and museum personnel looked on, and the sounds of carving, the smell of wood, and the rhythm of the hatchet echoed through the forest.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-4a6db43ac5d971a5ac9a3ffe693a27ac-1802×2700.jpg The completed structure serves as a “skeleton of life” that supports Nagasaka’s Moon Tower and E-waste Tree. It serves as both a physical support and a sculptural structure that embodies the artisan’s philosophy.
Exhibition overview
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-5c293b9f006ddd4bc4a92ddc72ab7f22-600×532.png Exhibition: “Nagasaka Shingo Exhibition: Still A BLACK STAR supported by Seiren” Dates: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Sunday, December 14, 2025 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entrance 4:30 PM) Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays, closed the following weekday) Venue: Kanazu Sosaku no Mori Art Museum, Art Core, Open-Air Museum, etc. Admission: Adults 300 yen (200 yen), 150 yen for those 65 and over and those with disabilities High school students and younger, and caregivers of disabled people (one person per disabled person) are free * indicates the price for groups of 20 or more ★A portion of the admission fee will be used for support activities in Ghana. Shohei Hishida Shohei) He began his career as a carpenter at the age of 18, and for the next 29 years he has been involved in home building as a carpenter, designer, and manager. After training in Japan, he worked with European craftsmen, learning both tradition and innovation and broadening his horizons. After going independent in the late 2000s, he began taking on both design and construction, and founded Hishida Construction in his 30s. Currently based in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture, he maintains a strong local presence while also garnering attention from overseas. He is a unique carpenter artist who pursues materials, handiwork, and beauty, embracing the philosophy of “Ancient, Beautiful.” He has received high praise both at home and abroad, including being selected as a Culture Planer 2024. He captivates people with his candid manner and humility, and continues to spread aesthetics and philosophies that are relevant worldwide. SNS:https://www.instagram.com/shohei_hishida/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-bb2fed28cfe961f87db3cde62429f70f-1567×1045.png Mago Nagasaka Mago) Contemporary artist. Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1984. In 2017, he visited the Agbogbloshie slum in Ghana and met people who make a living by burning electronic waste. Since then, he has created works using waste materials, and used the proceeds to build a recycling plant, develop an electric vehicle business, and engage in environmentally friendly agriculture in the area. He advocates “sustainable capitalism that circulates the three axes of economy, culture, and environment,” and continues to work to transform slums into sustainable towns. In 2022, he held a solo exhibition at the Ueno Royal Museum and won the 51st Best Dresser Award
(Academic/Culture category). At the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, he plans to exhibit his new work, “Medium Jellyfish “Jellyfish (Umitsuki),” made from recycled PET materials. SNS:
https://www.instagram.com/mago_creation/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-5403e741d5f03ad8727904c21aecab63-960×1080.png About Hishida Construction
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171153/7/171153-7-f6f61b7cdac75afe0d292cb89adf4157-1170×767.png Founded by carpenter and artist Shohei Hishida 13 years ago (as of 2025), the company continues to build homes whose value deepens with time, centered on “handcraft,” “texture,” and “beauty.” Based on the philosophy of “aging is beauty,” the company proposes architecture that utilizes the handiwork of artisans and natural materials to transform aging into “beauty with age.” The company has attracted attention both domestically and internationally, with over 500,000 followers on Instagram. As part of its community activities, the company has acquired company-owned forests and is working to build homes using local wood. Company Profile Hishida Construction Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director Shohei Hishida Address: 1683-17 Nakanojo, Sakaki-machi, Hanishina-gun, Nagano Prefecture 389-0602 Established: 2012 (13th year since establishment / as of 2025) Business: Residential design and construction, management of the Shohei Hishida brand, and construction projects utilizing local resources Website: https://hishidak.com/ SNS:
https://www.instagram.com/hishidakoumuten/
Hishida Construction Public Relations Office In charge: Kenji Tamaki TEL: 0268-82-8876 MAIL: info@hishidak.com Please feel free to contact us with any inquiries regarding interviews or tours, or to request information materials. ※Image material
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