I have been working as an illustrator for over 30 years, creating a wide variety of illustrations.I studied product design for five years at Salesian Polytechnic. After graduating, I apprenticed for two years under the late Saburo Noguchi, a leading figure in automotive illustration in Japan, where I learned the fundamentals of illustration.
Later, inspired by the great West Coast American illustrator, the late David Grove, I sent him a letter, which led me to study American illustration at Academy of Art University in San Francisco (formerly Academy of Art College).
During my time there, I was mentored by the late Kazuhiko Sano, who created poster illustrations for Star Wars and The Goonies, as well as Frank Ordaz, who worked on matte paintings for Star Wars.
After graduating, I returned to Japan and began working as an illustrator for Kodansha’s science magazine QUARK and Gakken’s illustrated encyclopedia The Wonders of Nature. At an illustration production company, I was involved in creating commercial storyboards and graphic comps. Later, at a game development company, I worked on background 3D model texturing, background art, explanatory diagrams, and game package illustrations.
I became an independent freelancer in 2006, and for nearly 20 years I have continued working independently. Currently, I primarily create illustrations for children’s books and educational encyclopedias.
My greatest wish is to provide artwork that brings joy to people. I continue to strive every day to come as close as possible to the high standards of American illustration.