Laura Kishimoto

I love Laura. Honest, delicate, and stately are descriptors of Kishimoto Design that speak to their creator's character. We've spoken so many times on the phone and met in person, and each time I learn something new about Laura. I can't wait to unveil the designs we're currently developing together. They'll take your breath away. With mad talent and a firm background in furniture design, Laura is a woman to watch. 

What is your first memory of your dad? 

One of my earliest memories of my dad was when he was trying to talk me around to the terrifying prospect of removing the training wheels from my bike. He finally won me over by describing some poor soul who had never had the courage to learn to ride a real bicycle and was still tottering around on training wheels as a grown man. We walked over to a cul-de-sac where I would attempt my maiden voyage. He helped me onto the seat and I took off, pedaling furiously. I remember how elated I was. It was so easy! Why had I ever bothered with training wheels? I turned my head to glance triumphantly back in my dad's direction and realized he had been running behind me, steadying my bike the whole time.

My dad was born in Japan and moved the US before he turned three. Growing up he stubbornly refused to learn Japanese so that he could better assimilate to American culture. Yet he never fails to advocate the supremacy of Japanese cars, woodworking tools, food, clothing brands, and so much more. During his middle and high school years he devoted his considerable intellect and self-discipline to shooting flies out of the air with rubber bands and drawing Lord of the Rings fan fiction art. When he graduated he hiked the Appalachian trail solo from Maine to Georgia and consumed ten pounds of instant banana pudding and hot Tang. He met my mom during his post doctoral work in Boston and fell in love with her while they were both cloning beta cells in a sterile lab. He asked her on a date and smiled so widely when she said yes that his teeth glowed purple in the black light. They married a few years later in a gaudy Reno wedding chapel "because they had a free weekend and nothing better to do". My grandmother was at first very unhappy to have a Japanese son-in-law because of her memories from WWII, but quickly revised her opinion when my dad bought her a Japanese car. He is a phenomenal father and as I become older I have also grown to recognize him as the phenomenal individual he is as well.

How has your dad influenced your life and work?

My dad has been and continues to be a huge influence on my chosen career. Before I even entered primary school I had already decided to become an artist when I grew up. He encouraged my passion and enrolled me in painting and drawing lessons. As I grew older though, I developed a more adult-like cynicism about the likelihood of earning a successful living as an artist. I decided to pursue a more secure career and only applied to one art school at my dad's insistence I keep my options open. When I was accepted into RISD, nationally recognized as the top design school in the States, he spoke with me earnestly about what an opportunity an education there presented and urged me not to let my fear of failure make the decision for me. A few weeks ago when we were discussing the recent sale of ones of my first professional pieces as a designer, he admitted to my surprise that he had had the same doubts I did then. And he shared a quote that had inspired him from Samuel Adams: "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

Clearly, your dad is very supportive. Is there a story that comes to mind about him and his support of your work?

My dad has always shown incredible support for me and my work, but November last year he really went above and beyond. I had been working for months on my Yumi Chair II, pouring all the time and energy I could spare into its development. But with every unforeseen complication I fell a bit further behind schedule and over budget. A couple weeks from the deadline I called my dad and told him in order to finish Yumi II and get it to the gallery in Philadelphia on time I would have to cancel the scheduled freight delivery and drive it across the country myself. Rather than berating me for my poor time management, he responded with a counter-offer: He would fly to Colorado on Thanksgiving day and drive with me.

Is there a piece you've made or would like to make that is inspired by your dad?

I have yet to make a piece specifically inspired directly by my dad, though he has had such a profound influence on my career, I often feel he is a part of every piece I make.