WINNER OF THE 46th MINI PRINT INTERNATIONAL OF CADAQUÉS, 2026
Born in Nara Prefecture, Japan, she studied art at Nara Prefectural Takamado Arts High School, then majored in Interior Design in the Department of Design at Osaka University of Arts.
While working for a company as an interior designer, she began making prints to decorate the interiors of the shops she designed, in addition to doing the store design itself. Her woodblock prints were sold to, and permanently installed in, many restaurants. She then moved to New York to study copperplate printmaking (etching), majoring in printmaking at the National Academy of Design.
After returning to Japan, she became involved in working with people with intellectual disabilities on their artwork. She has held printmaking-centered art and calligraphy classes at welfare facilities, kindergartens, and elementary schools.
She designed and established her own studio, KanaKana Factory, in Osaka, where she teaches art, printmaking, and calligraphy to art lovers of all kinds, from young children to older adults, including people with disabilities and people from abroad.
Her work is held in the collections of Osaka University of Arts and the National Academy of Design.
Education & Career
1987
Graduated from Nara Prefectural Takamado Art High School, Department of Art.
1991
Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Faculty of Art, Department of Design, Interior Design Course.
Joined Nomura Co., Ltd. as a store design planner.
Obtained a Calligraphy Instructor’s License (Shodo).
1992-1995
Several group exhibitions of woodblock prints in Osaka.
1995-1997
Studied in the U.S., majoring in printmaking at the National Academy of Design.
Several group exhibitions of copperplate prints in New York.
1997-2001
Instructor, painting class for children with intellectual disabilities, Nara YMCA.
Opened a calligraphy school in Kashihara, Nara.
2001
Designed and established KanaKana Factory.
Opened KanaKana Factory Children’s Art Institute, Miyayama, Osaka.
2003-2022
Printmaking instructor, Atelier Incurve (social welfare corporation).
2004
Registered as a member of Gallery WHA Center, New York.
2005-present
Painting and calligraphy instructor, Fujishirodai Day Service Center (social welfare corporation).
2005-2009
Opened Miyayama Calligraphy School.
2006-2014
Opened classes at Kasugaso Seimaria Kindergarten.
2009-2012
Opened classes at Takada Catholic Kindergarten.
2011-present
Opened KanaKana Factory Children’s Painting, Adult Painting & Calligraphy School, Toyonaka.
2014-2017
Board member, Osaka Prefectural Konan Art High School Supporters’ Association.
2020-present
Opened classes at Bilingual Preschool KDI Toyonaka.
2021-2025
Board member, Kyoto City University of Arts Art Education Supporters’ Association.
2023-present
Opened classes at Mino-Jiyu Gakuen Kindergarten.
2026
Group Award, Kodomo Nika Exhibition – KanaKana Factory Excellence Award.
Contact
Her Instagram