Maki Aizawa is an artist and producer passionate about Japan, her native land. From her earliest years, she has been immersed in the traditions of Japanese arts and culture at her parents’ kimono-making school. She cherishes the memories of a childhood with hundreds of “aunties” – the students who were living with them during their five-year apprenticeships to become licensed.
The devastation of the earthquake and tsunami in 2011 to Maki’s home district of Sendai, was a pivotal moment for her. Ever since, she has been committed to fostering collaborations and curating projects, revitalizing the artistic traditions mainly with Japanese master artists. With her admiration and appreciation of Japanese history, traditions, and skills, Maki approaches each art form as one to be revitalized and preserved.
In 2021, Maki was inspired to create her own brand “Kamiko.” As founder and designer, she brought together a Women’s Collective of licensed kimono makers in the Tohoku region of Japan, who were trained by her mother, Tsuyo Onodera. Her vision is to put a contemporary spin on kimono traditions, creating designs that can be incorporated into everyday use. Tsuyo’s mastery of traditional techniques and Maki’s creativity combine to create contemporary garments that preserve the traditions of kimono-making.
Based both in Sonoma, California, and in Asuka, a historic village near Nara, Japan, Maki travels worldwide for her programs and exhibitions. In addition to her non-profit organization, Amu Arts, Maki is currently developing an Artist Residency at Kayanomori “Sewing” School in Asuka, Japan with artist, Rose B. Simpson and focusing on reinterpreting Frog Dreaming through a Japanese cultural lens for all ages into Japanese with visual artist, Judy Tuwaletstiwa in Hopi, Arizona. She is also devoted on creating a kimono making book with German book artist, Veronika Schäpers,