Born in 1989 in Nibutani, Biratori Town, Hokkaido. In 2008, he began working in the Biratori region’s Iwor revitalization project at the Foundation for Ainu Culture, which sparked his involvement in preserving Ainu culture and led him to start creating traditional Ainu crafts. He learned craft techniques from senior artisans in Nibutani and assisted woodcarver Kaizawa Mamoru while producing his own works.

His main works are ita (※1), but upon request he also creates various traditional tools such as makiri (knives) and emus (swords). In making ita, he focuses on the design of patterns, careful carving, and beauty. He strives to faithfully express the skills he has learned and carry on the spirit of authenticity that Nibutani embodies.

In 2022, he was responsible for the wrapping design of “Setapukusa-go", the sightseeing bus .
He participated in the collaborative product development project “Nibutani Ainu Craft” in 2021 and 2022. A member of the Nibutani Craft Association.

※1　Ita Ita are traditional wooden trays carved with Ainu patterns, representing part of the inherited Ainu culture. Nibutani Ita, the style particular to the Saru River basin where Nibutani, Biratori stands, is an officially designated Traditional Craft Product. Nibutani Ita is a special brand that can only be called as such when made by specific craftspeople in Nibutani.

Contact Information

Ainu Crafts pewre (in Ainu language, “pewre” means “young” or “youth”)
76-6 Nibutani, Biratori-cho, Saru-gun, Hokkaido 055-0101, Japan

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