The History of Heianju Issui

Heianjyu Issui was founded in 1925 in Eikando Town, Kyoto, at the foot of the Higashiyama mountain range, by Zenjiro Imamura, a master of kazari armor. Since then, the technique has been passed down and refined from generation to generation.

April 1936: Begins learning the art of armor making under Kazari Armor maker Zenjiro Imamura. August 1967: Became the second generation of Kazari Armor maker Heianjyu Issui as the successor of his skills. October, 1983: He was awarded by the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture as an Excellent Engineer of Kyoto Traditional Industry for his high level of skill and faithfulness to the basics, especially in the production of the main part of the armor. August 1995: Received the Industry Meritorious Service Award from the Japanese Doll Association.

He is a member of the Kyoto Prefecture TAKUMI-KAI, an organization of traditional craftsmen who have received the Kyoto Prefecture Governor's Commendation, and works hard to further improve his skills, exhibiting his traditional crafts at numerous exhibitions every year. While pursuing his own unique style, he also devotes himself to training and mentoring younger craftspeople.

March 1958: Strived to master the techniques of armor making while working as an apprentice in the family business. March 1990: He was certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, in recognition of his constant research and training in techniques and raw materials to maintain and improve his skills and quality, while preserving traditional techniques. August 2001: He became Heianjyu Issui, the third generation of Kazari Armor maker, as the inheritor of our skills. In the same year, he was honored by the Nipponjin Katai Association with the Industry Meritorious Service Award.

He actively participates in exhibitions of traditional craftsmen's works at the National Convention of Traditional Craftsmen, and strives to improve his skills and create more elegant and beautiful works of art.

1995: Studied under his father, Heianjyu Issui III, to master the art of armor making. July 2007: He assumed the name of Heianjyu Issui IV, as the inheritor of his skills. February 2010: Qualified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

He has been producing a wide range of works using the traditional techniques handed down from generation to generation. He is always striving to improve his skills by actively creating new works, aiming to express traditional beauty in a more refined manner.