Growing Up in Kyoto

Born in Kyoto in 1974, Keiko grew up in a creative household.
Her father was a sculptor who made molds for mannequins, while her mother worked as a nurse.

She belonged to Japan’s second baby boom generation, a time when competition in school was intense.
At the time, she was often told: “If you get into university, everything will work out.”

So she studied hard and attended cram school regularly.
As a result, she entered a university-affiliated high school and went on to university.

She enjoyed her student life.
However, when graduation came, she realized she still didn’t know what she truly wanted to do.

Searching for a Path

After graduation, she joined a kimono shop, inspired by her long-standing love of traditional clothing.

However, the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble affected the business, and she eventually left the company.

After that, she explored different paths.

She worked at a real estate reception desk and helped manage a showroom for a gas company.

Meanwhile, she continued searching for something she could truly dedicate herself to.

Working in Her Father’s Studio

One day, she began helping at her father’s workshop.
There, she worked with FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), a material used for mannequins.

She became involved in a wide range of projects, including:
・Jacuzzi bathtubs
・Mannequins for diaper product development

At one point, the workshop was filled with mannequin lower bodies, lined up in every available space.
Although unusual, this environment deepened her understanding of materials and form.

Moving to Shimane

At age 30, she married her husband, whom she had been in a long-distance relationship with.

She moved to Shimane Prefecture, where his family lived.

However, due to work, they moved frequently within the region for several years.

Building a Life by Hand

Eventually, they purchased a house as a place to live in the future.

They chose a half-build approach, where professionals handled the foundation, while they completed painting and interior work themselves.

Little by little, they worked on the house.

However, due to family circumstances, they moved in before it was fully completed, and began living there as a family of four.

Her Journey as a Japanese Woodworker

Her journey into woodworking began in 2020, when she joined a hands-on workshop and met her mentor.

While her mentor worked with dried wood, Keiko chose a different path.

She wanted to make use of fresh, living wood from garden trees and logs given by local people.

This led her to discover green woodturning, a technique that uses freshly cut wood.

She began creating pieces that capture the natural movement and expression of living wood.

Creating Without Waste

However, working with fresh wood comes with challenges.
As the wood dries, cracks and splits naturally appear.
Many would discard these pieces.

But Keiko thought differently.
She felt it was a waste to throw them away.

Instead, she developed her own technique applying washi (traditional Japanese paper) to the cracked areas.

As a result, each piece gains more depth and character, becoming a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Today, alongside her creative work, she stays busy participating in events and sharing her craft with others.