Born in 1969 in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. She married the late Ainu artisan Kaizawa Koji in 1991, moved to Nibutani, and began working in crafts. Having always been interested in handicrafts, especially knitting, she started embroidery after moving to Nibutani, learning by observing and imitating the works sold at the family’s folk craft shop. What began as an extension of a hobby gradually developed, and in 1996 she began selling her own creations. She learned kimono tailoring in the advanced course at the Nibutani Training School.

Her main works include kimonos such as cikarkarpe, ruunpe, and kapar-amip, as well as short coats, accessories, and knitted hats decorated with Ainu patterns. For kimono patterns, she first gathers ideas from books, but then refines the designs by actually arranging pieces of indigo cloth and visualizing the motifs to be added. For large pieces such as kimonos and tapestries, she enjoys designing by, for example, creating one small difference between the left and right sides for individuality, or incorporating the morew (spiral motif) she loves in various places.

She is happy when a completed work matches her vision, but she still rarely feels fully “satisfied,” often sensing something is missing. Each time she identifies a challenge, she eagerly works to apply it to her next creation.

She hopes that Nibutani, with its many outstanding crafts, will foster more people to carry on this precious tradition. While valuing tradition, she also wishes for each artisan to add elements inspired by their own sensibilities, broadening the range of crafts produced in the region.
Member of the Nibutani Folk Craft Association.