"Atelier Kanawa" means "the studio to produce Japanese harmony & peace".
In 2007, Kuniko became a professional Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan through intensive trainings by nationally designated master Kazuyo Hozumi, the one of only five acknowledged Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in Japan. While none of the artisans are accepting official apprentice today due to the critical issue over supply and demand, Kuniko's extraordinarily passion to preserve this inexpressibly beautiful traditional art luckily led her to be accepted as a private pupil. Master Kazuyo took an extra effort to passionately train Kuniko by entrusting her to pass this art onto future generations. Despite her serious illness, master Kazuyo continued to train Kuniko every year when she traveled to Japan. Sadly master Kazuyo passed away, however Kuniko continued her further training under master Kazuyo's husband master Minoru Hozumi, also a nationally designated Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan.
Kuniko is currently working on her Edo Tsumami Kanzashi book, partially as a memorial for her Edo Tsumami Kanzashi master. This book will be very remarkable for introducing primarily *the authentic Edo Tsumami Kanzashi* as well as the modern Kanzashi and its artisan's field focusing on how we should preserve our culture.
In the same year, Kuniko officially became a certified Kimono Consultant of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association through Sodo Kimono Academy. This certificate is approved by the Ministry Of Education/Science and Economy / Industry.
She has been teaching Kimono class, dressing her clients, working for Opera Madama butterfly, producing Kimono shows and so on.
Kuniko also has been studying to dye Kimono patterns by Bingata Katazome style. Bingata is the traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabric in Okinawa (southern part of Japan), using a resist paste applied through stencil. The term "Bingata Katazome" is divided form a combination of Kata (pattern or stencil), and Zome, from the verb Someru (to dye). Only natural ingredients are used in Bingata Katazome, such as ink, soy juice for diluting ink, brush, and fabric.
Beside, she has been producing Chiyo-gami and Origami jewelry, fused glass jewelry, and Japanese embroidery.
Since 2005, Kuniko has been pursuing classical Japanese dance as well by Hanayagi-style under Mme Wakana Hanayagi sensei, which consists of Geisha dance, Noh, Kabuki and so on. She is currently in the advanced level.
Now she would love to share her stories about her ancestors who were in traditional Japanese business.
Her great grand father on her father's side was a part time Shinto priest at his local Inari shrine.
The other great grand father was a Kimono pattern dye artisan mainly for Yukata, the Summer Kimono. Her grand father on her father's side was a Ranma (an openwork screen above the sliding partitions between two rooms) wood curving artisan.
Both of her grand mothers were Kimono tailors. Her mother and aunt graduated from Kimono academies. Her aunt has taught Kimono classes in Japan.
Growing up in such a modernized Japanese environment, Kuniko did not know these remarkable histories of her family members for such a long time. However without knowing these facts, one day she became strongly inspired to learn deeply about her own culture and traditions. Her blood stream from her ancestors must have led her to this direction.
Today, she deeply regards her ancestors who were in traditional Japanese business.
As a successor of traditional Japanese culture, Kuniko passionately strives to introduce our "disappearing culture" nation wide and pass it on to our next generation.
Enjoy being a part of our beautiful culture!