Ikuharu Kawashita

Iku's earthly departure left behind many to cherish his memory and relay a host of stories about how he lived. These include his two sons, Hiroyuki Kawashita and Isamu Kawashita (Miyu Ansai); his wife and soulmate Elizabeth Pierotti; his sister-in-law, Ann-Mari Pierotti; brother-in-law and best friend Steve Lloyd; nephew Kyle Lloyd; brother-in-law Eric Pierotti. As well as, his brother Fumio Kawashita and his niece Kana Kawashita of Shimonoseki, Japan; also the Mid-West Pierottis' and the Mountain Pierottis' (far too many to name but folks he loved and was loved by) and a gallery of friends and clients.

Raised by his mother, Toshiko and his grandparents Kimiko and Isamu Kawashita in Ozuki, Japan. His was a small town home that blended a love for traditional Japanese art forms with encouragement for individual expression. Iku spent his early career as a hairdresser in Kyoto. In the late 1960's the city was a hub for traditional arts like tea ceremony and flower arranging but also one that embraced modern design and ideas. Iku wore his hair long and sported a black full length cashmere cape, his style still a bit much for many in Kyoto. In search of more personal freedom Iku came to the United States in 1974. He was welcomed to the DC area by his late Aunt and Uncle, Chizuko and Yahming Soh. He attended beauty school during the day to improve his English language skills and parked cars for colonial parking at night to earn a living. Within a year Iku was working as a hairdresser in Georgetown and began to build a loyal clientele. In 1999, Iku opened Ozuki Salon in hopes of sharing a Japanese sense of style and service to Washington, DC. It was his creative home for the next 25 years. His Ozuki family was very dear to him. Iku felt fortunate to be able have a career doing what he loved which included his relationships with his clients.

A great lover of the natural world, Iku also loved human connection. A longtime resident of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Iku was very popular in the neighborhood and at Eastern Market. He enjoyed the Hill's small town feel, saying it was a lot like his home town of Ozuki, Japan. He loved that the folks knew each other and would often stop by to chat while he was working in his garden. Iku loved cooking and he spent a lot of time shopping at Eastern Market, talking the seafood vendor into saving for him the jaw of the Yellow Fin Tuna or spending time comparing notes with the florist. Iku's flower arrangements were a staple in our home.



As a stylist, gardener, craftsman, innovator, natural world artist, arranger of beauty, story teller, Liz's chef, Ikebana master, jazz enthusiast, sports lover, he was known to be a friendly, tender soul, a good listener, a wisdom sharer, and an exceptionally kind and thoughtful man.

Fun Fact: Iku welcomed volunteer plants into his garden respecting their desire to find their place and thrive.

Iku's advice to his son's: "Find what you love and go after it."