To All The Ladies: Celebrating The Women That Power rikumo
International Women's Day is a timely reminder to celebrate the innate strength and beauty of women around the world. We believe it is vital to support each other as mothers, sisters, business owners, and creatives, so in the spirit of the day, we'd like to highlight some of the inspiring female designers and artists that power rikumo.
Yuka Morihata
Founder and Co-Owner of rikumo
Ayako Chizuwa
Ayako Chizuwa of KUTITTAA (the Finnish word for "tickle") wishes to tickle your heart and bring you smiles with her playful designs. As the mother of two strong-willed daughters, she fills each of her pieces with an indelible feminine energy.
What advice would you give to other aspiring female artists?
"Let's take a break, for a moment, from being a mother. Let's take a break, for a moment, from being a woman. Concentrate on shining for yourself, and then the world around you will also shine."
Wakako Mochizuki
Every day, Wakako Mochizuki creates whimsical earrings, accessories, and objects in her Zushi studio. Specializing in thin decorative brass, she hammers and welds rigid metals into one-of-a-kind items that are ready for you to imbue with your favorite memories.
What advice would you give to other aspiring female artists?
"The fact that everyone is different will never change. That's why you must be yourself. We should do our best to create a world where everyone can be themselves. Please remember that there is freedom and love in your world, and I will support you always."
Yukiko Ohnakahara
Yukiko Ohnakahara is a multimedia artist, shop-owner, and personal friend of my mother. In 2011, she co-opened a gallery and gift shop called Tasogaredo, where she sells her own work and those of several other female artists.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
”What I couldn't do by myself, I could do by cooperating with my colleagues. I feel that this is what it means to live my life.”
Yoko Yano
Longtime rikumo favorite, Yoko Yano shows unwavering patience as she creates each of her intricate glass pieces. Inspired by both the innate strength and gracefulness of women, her wearable glassworks showcase the natural beauty in each of us.
How important is it for women to lift each other up, and what does that mean to you?
"Even if the day comes when we all will be equal regardless of gender, I think we should continue to support our fellow women. And not just those we are familiar with, but those of different ages and occupations that seem to have nothing in common with you."
Kiyomi Kodama
KODAMA TOKI is a one-woman ceramic studio run by Kiyomi Kodama. She carefully makes each piece by hand to ensure they are strong and unique, just like each of us.
What advice would you give to other aspiring female artists?
"Needless to say, there is nothing we cannot do just because we are women. But we don't have to fight anything to embody it. We take it for granted and express it, not anyone else. Enjoy being a woman. That is how I want to live."