Born in Osaka Japan, lived in same neighborhood that Sen No Rikyu was from, went to school in Michigan, moved to Minnesota to study with Dainin Katagiri Roshi, moved to Mashiko, Japan to do 3 year apprenticeship with National Living Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka, established my own kiln and pottery in Mashiko, Japan. Came back to Minneapolis the summer of 2007. Awarded a McKnight Residency for spring of 2008 at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis.