Isozaki

Isozaki is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a toponym. The name is typically written with kanji such as 磯崎, which combines iso meaning “shore” or “island edge” with zaki or saki meaning “promontory” or “cape.” As a surname it is most commonly found in Japan and is associated with families from coastal areas. Variants in spelling and kanji forms can occur, reflecting regional naming practices.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Arata Isozaki (1931–2022), a renowned Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize laureate who received the award in 2019. Isozaki’s career spanned several decades and his work is noted for its breadth, combining elements of modernism, regional references, and a willingness to explore diverse contexts and scales. He contributed to architecture in Japan and internationally, shaping discussions on postwar architectural practice.

In addition to individuals, Isozaki can appear in place names or geographic descriptors in Japan, reflecting its toponymic roots. Outside Japan, the surname is present among communities of Japanese heritage. The name’s meaning ties to coastal geography, but contemporary use is primarily as a family name rather than a geographic designation.