Every year, KIKUKAWA fabricates pentagon shields, “Hounou-date”, to pray for safety and prosperity in the upcoming year and to exemplify our New Year’s resolution. On the shield, there are three objects that denote the Japanese Kanji character for water, 水. Each object symbolizes our prayer: the “sword” to ward off evil, the “sickle” to bring a good harvest, and the “key” for prosperity.

The root of this tradition lies with Japanese blacksmiths fabricating “Hounou-date” as a talisman against fire. By dedicating a shield with a water kanji at the beginning of the year, the craftsmen cleansed their workplace and prayed for another safe year.

KIKUKAWA still honours this practice as a sign of respect for the artisan handiwork. To hone and pass on our craftsmanship, the fabrication of the shield is carried out by younger members and Vietnamese trainees.

As per tradition, three key materials and finishes were chosen.

These shields are on display at various places within our Shiroi factory.

Click here to view a selection of Kikukawa’s finish samples

Click here to find out more on sulfurization

Click here to find out more zinc phosphate coating

Click here for the more information on Silky Blast finish

Four new brochures on Kikukawa’s metalworking technology has been released.

The brochures cover FSW (Friction Stir Welding), fibre laser welding, incremental forming, and 8m bender. Each technology was introduced on our corporate website, however, were made into a brochure in light of requests to view them offline.

The full-colour brochures present a quick overview of the technology, workable dimensions, pictures of samples and projects implemented.

The metalworking technology covered are rare in architectural metalcraft; some are still under research to further the technology.

【FSW (Friction Stir Welding)】
One of the latest technologies to join flat pieces of metal using frictional heat and mechanical mixing process. The resulting joint has high weld strength and minimal heat affected distortion or discoloration.

Click here to view the new brochure
Click here to read more on FSW (friction stir welding)

【Fibre Laser Welding】
Using the latest robotics and welding technology, high-quality welding with high strength and minimal distortion and discoloration. Suitable for long-distance welding, curved and complex welding.

Click here to view the new brochure
Click here to read more on the fibre laser welding

【Incremental Forming】
A dieless metalworking methodology that accommodates complex shapes, and small lots of high variety product line. Accommodates testing and sample fabrications.

Click here to view the new brochure
Click here to read more on incremental forming

【8m Bender】
One of the largest bending machines in the industry implements high-quality long bends up-to 8000mm. Accommodates simple bends to complex bends such as corrugation and tapered bends.

Click here to view the new brochure
Click here to read more on 8m bender

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on each metalworking technology.
Click here to contact us

Kikukawa is pleased to announce that it is entering into a partnership with Look Façade, a French façade consultant, to intensify Kikukawa’s presence in Europe.

Kikukawa’s catalogs and samples will be on display in Look Façade’s showroom in Paris – allowing architects to view and observe the high-quality and complex nuances of finish samples, and the fine craftsmanship and technology behind our work.

This partnership follows Kikukawa’s success in European projects – its metal craftsmanship has been highly regarded in large-scale projects such as the bronze constructions for Bloomberg’s London Headquarters.

Look Façade is extensively experienced in technical marketing of façade panels. This collaboration will provide European audiences with easier access to Kikukawa’s expertise and high-quality metal constructions.

For more information on Look Façade, click here (external link)

For more information on Kikukawa’s overseas projects, click here

Every year, KIKUKAWA fabricates pentagon shields, “Hounou-date”, to pray for safety and prosperity in the upcoming year and to exemplify our New Year’s resolution. On the shield, there are three objects that denote the Japanese Kanji character for water, 水. Each object symbolizes our prayer: the “sword” to ward off evil, the “sickle” to bring a good harvest, and the “key” for prosperity.

The root of this tradition lies with Japanese blacksmiths fabricating “Hounou-date” as a talisman against fire. By dedicating a shield with a water kanji at the beginning of the year, the craftsmen cleansed their workplace and prayed for another safe year.

KIKUKAWA still honours this practice as a sign of respect for the artisan handiwork. To hone and pass on our craftsmanship, the fabrication of the shield is carried out by younger members and Vietnamese trainees.

As per tradition, three key materials and finishes were chosen.

• -Copper shield with hammer-tone and clear coating, with the Silky blasted stainless steel water kanji
• -Shield and kanji both fabricated in stainless steel, PHL and wine bronze coloured clear coating
• -Mirror polished stainless steel shield and Silky blasted stainless steel kanji

2019 Kikukawa “Hounou-date”

The silky blast finish, used for the water kanji, is a series of KIKUKAWA’s proprietary finish that has been selected for a number of projects including Tokyo Station and the Japanese Sword Museum.

These shields are on display at various places within our Shiroi factory.

Click here for the finish samples

Click here for the more information on Silky Blast finish

The multi-award winning European headquarters for Bloomberg in London designed by Foster + Partners has won this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architecture award.

Bloomberg London’s Interior Ramp, lined with Kikukawa bronze

The ‘astounding’ and ‘boundary-pushing’ project was unanimously chosen by the RIBA judges for its achievement in the level of research, innovation, experimentation during the design process.

The project occupies 102,190㎡ of land, designed as two-buildings connected by a bridge over a re-established ancient Roman arcade. The exterior features hand-crafted sandstone, and over 97 types of bronze window fins. A few of these fins incorporate built-in air vents. The building houses a distinctive 210m long bronze ramp, designed as a place of impromptu conversation, meeting, and connection.

Kikukawa, as metal-craftsmen and engineers, worked closely with the project’s Stirling Prize-winning architect Foster + Partners, contractors, and other suppliers to ensure the vision, the world’s most sustainable office, was delivered. As the bronze supplier, Kikukawa provided the FURUMI (sulfurized) bronze panels, from the fins to the ramp, each displaying our metal craftsmanship and technology.

Within Kikukawa, our 3D designing technology, our cutting-edge welding technology (FSW and fiber laser welding), and the artisanal FURUMI (sulfurized) finish played a fundamental role in the realisation of the project.

The project and the collaboration ‘have not just raised the bar for office design and city planning, but smashed the ceiling’ said RIBA president Ben Derbyshire.

It is a privilege for Kikukawa to have contributed to this monumental project. Congratulations to Foster + Partners for this great achievement and your continued success.

For more information on RIBA Stirling Prize, click here

For more information on Foster + Partners, click here

For more information on Bloomberg London, click here

For more information on Kikukawa’s involvement, click here

For more information on Kikukawa’s technology, click here

Click here for the press release in PDF (Japanese):
2018.10.24 Kikukawa News Release Bloomberg London wins 2018 RIBA Stirling Prize

The News page has been redesigned to help readers find the latest news from Kikukawa.

First of this change is the launch of Metalcraft News which will feature timely updates on our factory and metal-crafting technology.

Our top page will feature the latest 10 news. And the news page now has a filtering function by category.

The following brochures have been added to our Materials and Brochures page.

Kikukawa’s Featured Work

Introducing Kikukawa’s metal-crafting technology, with a focus on those used at Bloomberg’s European Headquarters.

Kikukawa Essentials 2018

Introducing Kikukawa’s projects that were completed in 2017, such as Bloomberg’s European Headquarters and Yakushiji Temple.

Click here to jump to the Materials and Brochures page

KIKUKAWA was noted as the supplier of the bronze cladding for the Bloomberg’s new European headquarters project, in the Nov/Dec issue (#283) of Architecture Today that featured an editorial of the said project.
Architecture Today is a monthly British architecture magazine, that has been providing the latest architectural news to architects since the late 80s.

To find out more about Architecture Today, click here

Architecture Today #283, Bloomberg Editorial

The featured project, Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, was completed in 2017 and designed by Foster + Partners. The project that occupies roughly 3.2 acres of land is highly acclaimed for its standards of sustainability and the innovative design.
In collaboration with the designers, contractors and other manufacturers, Kikukawa’s bronze products were fabricated and now fully installed. These panels exhibit our metal craftsmanship, from the cutting-edge fiber laser welding, FSW (Friction Stir Welding) and new bending techniques, to the more traditional FURUMI (sulfurized) finish.

To find out more about Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, click here

To find out more about the Kikukawa’s technology, click here

To make an inquiry, click here

February 2, 2018 – Kikukawa released the following press release in Japanese.

-Summary of the Release-
KIKUKAWA, a bespoke architectural metalworker, was selected as a government subsidized company, by the Ministry of the Environment, as part of a project that aims to accelerate the adoption of L2-Tech (Leading Low carbon Technology). Following this selection, the demonstration room for the selected product, radiant HVAC system “R Air-con”, is due to complete soon. With this room, Kikukawa will collect verifying data for the next three years and continue its work to improve the product.

For more information on “R Air-con”:
http://www.kikukawa.com/en/ecosia-and-green-products/

Click here for the press release in PDF (Japanese):
2018.2.2 Kikukawa news release L2-tech-room

The following content has been updated.

For more information, click here:
Technology: Bending Technology

On January 25^th, 2018, a KIKUKAWA employee lectured at the 52^nd technology of plasticity conference held by The Japan Society for Technology of Plasticity. Selected as one of the firms to have one-of-a-kind technology of plasticity, our metal-crafting technology such as FSW was introduced.

Kikukawa employee lecturing at the technology of plasticity conference

Various people from the fabrication industry, academia, and government came to exchange their knowledge and further their understanding of the technology of plasticity.

For more information on The Japan Society for Technology of Plasticity
http://www.jstp.jp/en/

For more information on KIKUKAWA’s metal-craft, click here
Custom Metalwork

To make an inquiry, click here
Contact Us

The following content has been updated.

For more information, click here:
Technology: Zinc Phosphate Coating

Every year, KIKUKAWA fabricates pentagon shields, “Hounou-date”, to pray for safety and prosperity in the upcoming year and to exemplify our New Year’s resolution. On the shield, there are three objects that denote the Japanese Kanji character for water, 水. Each object symbolizes our prayer: the “sword” to ward off evil, the “sickle” to bring good harvest, and the “key” for prosperity.

The root of this tradition lies with Japanese blacksmiths fabricating “Hounou-date” as a talisman against fire. By dedicating a shield with a water kanji at the beginning of the year, the craftsmen cleansed their workplace and prayed for another safe year.

KIKUKAWA still honours this practice as a sign of respect for the artisan handiwork. To hone and pass on our craftsmanship, the fabrication of the shield is carried out by younger members and Vietnamese trainees.

As per tradition, three key materials and finishes were chosen.

• –FURUMI(sulfurized) bronze with the water kanji in silky blasted stainless steel
• -Anodized and defined vibration finished aluminium with the water kanji in silky blasted stainless steel
• -Both shield and the water kanji in stainless steel with coloured clear coating

2018 Kikukawa “Hounou-date”

With the completion of Bloomberg’s European Headquarters, KIKUKAWA’s FURUMI (sulfurized) bronze panels were unveiled.

The silky blast finish, used for the water kanji, is a series of KIKUKAWA’s proprietary finish that has been selected for a number of projects including Tokyo Station and the Japanese Sword Museum.

These shields are on display at various places within our Shiroi factory.

Click here for the finish samples

Click here for the FURUMI (sulfurized) finish

Click here for the Silky Blast finish

Click here for KIKUKAWA’s projects

Click here to make an inquiry

KIKUKAWA is pleased to announce the launch of an email newsletter.

Through it, our readers will be informed of our projects, technologies and other newsworthy items.

To subscribe or to provide feedback, please contact us here.

Japanese Junction in London opened on June 1^st to join the launch of the London Festival of Architecture.
To celebrate, an opening reception was held at the gallery.

< The crowded gallery during the opening reception for Japanese Junction in London. >

Japanese Junction in London is an architectural exhibition created by emerging architects and architectural designers who studied or worked in Japan. This exhibition will be part of the London Festival of Architecture which is the largest annual festival of its kind held in Europe.

The festival’s theme for this year is “Memory of Home” and the city will be filled with showcases or architects’ proposals for a new lifestyle in the urban context of London.

Duration: ~June 30^th

Exhibit Location: TOTO Gallery

Related Links:

Japanese Junction in London – http://www.japanesejunctioninlondon.co.uk/

Japanese Junction  – http://japanesejunction.jp/index.html

London Festival of Architecture – http://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/

KIKUKAWA is a proud sponsor of Japanese Junction in London.

http://www.kikukawa.com/en/2017/05/23/supportingjapanesejunctioninlondon/

KIKUKAWA is a proud sponsor of [Japanese Junction in London], an exhibition that will take part in the London Festival of Architecture.

The [Japanese Junction in London] is an architectural exhibition created by emerging architects and architectural designers who studied or worked in Japan. This exhibition will be part of the London Festival of Architecture which is the largest annual architecture festival held in Europe.

< Leaflet for “Japanese Junction in London” for 2017 >

Duration: June 1^st to June 30^th

Exhibit Location: TOTO Gallery

Related Website:

Japanese Junction in London- http://www.japanesejunctioninlondon.co.uk/

Japanese Junction- http://japanesejunction.jp/index.html

London Festival of Architecture- http://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/

KIKUKAWA will continue to support the efforts and works of Japanese architects within and outside of Japan as part of its continuing contribution to the architectural industry.

KIKUKAWA is announcing the official launch of a metalworking research project in collaboration with METI (Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry, a regional branch of Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry) and Fukui University.

< De Beers Ginza Building: Exterior Stainless Steel Panels fabricated with 3D Metal Forming Technology >

This launch comes in response to the confirmation of the receipt of a government grant offered by SME (Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN) that is overseen by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and partly under co-jurisdiction with the Japanese Ministry of Finance.

Since 2011, KIKUKAWA has been researching for ways to ease the fabrication process of double curved panels. This was in response to the increasing demand to fabricate double curved products in a more efficient manner as the international architectural designs have become more complex with the development of 3D CADs.

One of the difficulties with 3D metal forming is that it traditionally requires 6~10 times more manufacturing lead-time and cost than its counterpart, the 2D panels, as fabrication relies on a seasoned metalwork expert and/or press forging with dies.

This research hopes to establish an automated die-less 3D metal forming technology that could fabricate a wide variety of small lot custom-made large sized metal products. This innovative research, said to be the first of its kind ran by a bespoke architectural metalwork provider, is planned to be completed in 2019.

For more information on KIKUKAWA’s 3D metal forming technology, click here.

On April 2017, four new employees and six Vietnamese Trainees joined KIKUKAWA. To commemorate this, a company-wide meeting was held.

<Front Row: KIKUKAWA’s senior management, Back Row: new employees and Vietnamese trainees>

During the meeting, president Utsuno spoke of the KIKUKAWA spirit, “Never Say No,” that allows us to be the pioneering metal architecture specialists we are today. This spirit embodied by our approach, to take on and every challenge, is supported by every individual’s passion and autonomy for one’s job.

We hereby express our warmest welcome to the new employees and trainees. We look forward to working with them.

On December 12^th 2016, KIKUKAWA obtained a Japanese patent for the invention of a new “Louver System.”

Patent Overview:

-Name: Louver System

-Patent Number: 6061781

-Date of Receipt: 2016/12/22

Summary of the Invention:

-Reduces heat gain while allowing efficient control of natural light

-Reduces operating energy use and running cost of the building

-Designed to be both stylish and practical

-KIKUKAWA’s Louver System-

There is a growing environmental awareness in today’s world. In architecture, the responsibility to create more green and sustainable buildings is gaining momentum for architects and building owners.

Given this, KIKUKAWA worked with Dr. Jürgen Koch to invent a movable louver system, innovative in design and function that could be installed for new and existing projects.

-The Kochs-

One of the ways to increase the energy efficiency of a building is to install louvers outside of the windows. This is where the buildings are susceptible to the effects of incoming heat gain and sunlight. The exterior louvers could help control this before it enters the building thereby increasing the energy efficiency as well as reducing the installation and the running cost of the building.

Other existing louvers were able to control sunlight and heat gain; however it was not able to concurrently allow natural light to fill the room. With existing models, the building would be more energy efficient and the AC costs would be reduced, but the lighting costs would not be affected. KIKUKAWA’s new louver system addresses this problem. The design of the new system differs at the top and bottom and because both parts are movable, it allows heat gain reduction as well as efficient sunlight control depending on the intensity of insulation and the location of the sun.

KIKUKAWA is currently working on merchandising this invention. Please inquire for more details. KIKUKAWA will continue to invent and provide high-quality and high-value environmental products.

Every year, KIKUKAWA fabricates pentagon shields, “Hounou-date”, to pray for the safety and prosperity in the upcoming year and to exemplify our New Year’s resolution. On the shield, there are three objects that denote the Japanese Kanji character for water, 水. Each object symbolizes our prayer: the “sword” to ward off evil, the “sickle” to bring good harvest, and the “key” for prosperity.

The root of this tradition lies with Japanese blacksmiths fabricating “Hounou-date” as a talisman against fire. By dedicating a shield with a water kanji at the beginning of the year, the craftsmen cleansed their workplace and prayed for another safe year.

KIKUKAWA still honours this practice as a sign of respect for artisan handiwork. To hone and pass on our craftsmanship, the fabrication of the shield is carried out by younger members and Vietnamese trainees. The chosen materials and finishes are those that were most commonly used or that became the topic of conversation as a reminder of our company’s founding principles and spirit.

This year, three shields were fabricated.

• –Sulfurized bronze with the water kanji in mirror polished stainless steel
• –Sulfurized bronze with the water kanji in mirror polished then Silky blasted stainless steel
• -Bright dip anodized Aluminium with the water kanji in hairline or vibration finish

The sulfurized bronze finish is a classic in Japanese architecture, but is increasingly becoming popular overseas. Our most recent project was Shiki-Juraku, a Kyo-machiya style hotel.

The bright dip anodized Aluminium is a highly reflective finish that emulates the sheen of stainless steel. The Sumida Hokusai Museum drew attention last year as the first architectural project in Japan to employ this material as an exterior.

These shields are displayed on the walls of our factory. Please take a look should you ever have a chance to pay a visit.

Lord Foster, of the internationally recognized Foster + Partners studio for architecture and integrated design, toured KIKUKAWA’s factory on March 28^th, 2017 as pa2011rt of his visit to Japan.

This visitation follows Lord Foster’s wish to visit our factory, having been KIKUKAWA’s business partner for some time.

Despite the limitations in time, Lord Foster was able to view our facility, various samples and the fabrication process of the products. He was also able to see the mock-up and the fabrication of his ongoing project.

With the actual technology, craftsmanship and product in front of him, Lord Foster showed great interest, asked various questions while he felt the metal with his hands. He shared his impressions, saying, “I saw how the skilled manual work of craftsmen and cutting edge machinery was fused to produce these wonderful products. I didn’t have much time this visit, but I would like to take a closer look at the factory another day.”

< Lord Foster looking up at the mock-up that is twice his size. >

At the same time, Lord Foster gifted a book, “Building with History” by Paul Goldberger. On the first page was a hand-written message, “for your great tradition of crafting metal”.

< The first page of “Building with History” with Lord Foster’s message and signature. >

KIKUKAWA will continue to advance its technology and hone its craftsmanship to respond to the needs of industry leading architects of our time.

< President Yoshihiko Utsuno, Lord Norman Foster, and General Manager for Overseas Division. >

Kikukawa received an award at the 16th JSSA Contest for Excellent Products.

Past awards include:
13th JSSA Award for Excellent Products/Components – “De Beers Ginza Building”
15th JSSA Award for Excellent Products/Components – “Outer Panels of the Chapel at MIHO Art School”

An article regarding our work was published in “Copper & Brass”, a publication of the Japan Copper Development Association.

Our unique “FURUMI” finish was used to create the effect of aged bronze in new bronze material. We fused our surface roughing technology and sulfurized technology to create a deep, sophisticated finish.