Japanese Earth Friendly studio by a Certified Kimono Consultant, Kimono Model/Photographer, Edo Tsumami Kanzashi Artisan, and Shinto Priestess.
"Atelier Kanawa" means "the studio to produce Japanese harmony & peace".
It is run by Kuniko Kanawa, a certified Kimono consultant, Kimono model/photographer, founder of Washington D.C. Kimono Club, Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan, and also a certified Shintō priestess/Kagura dancer.
In 2007, she officially became a certified Kimono consultant of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association after graduating from Sōdō Reihō Kimono College. Since obtaining this certificate approved by the Ministry of Education/Science and Economy/Industry, she has been offering the Kimono dressing services, Kimono photo shoot, Kimono academic lectures/classes/workshops, producing Kimono fashion shows/dressing demonstrations and so on. She also works as a Kimono model in treasuring six years of Hanayagi style classical Japanese dance training under the great instruction by Mme. Wakana Hanayagi sensei.
Using her refined Kimono modeling skill, she also serves as a Kimono photographer for ceremonial occasions such as Omiya-mairi first time visit to Shintō shrine, Shichi-go-san, Coming of age ceremony, wedding, and Anime conventions.
In the same year, she became a professional Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan through intensive training by a designated master Kazuyo Hozumi sensei, the one of only few designated Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in Japan. As a successor to preserve this disappearing traditional handicraft, she creates both traditional and modern designed Tsumami Kanzashi, including custom orders. Her beautiful creations can be purchased online at http://atelierkanawa.com. She also occasionally participates Arts&craft shows.
She has offered monthly classes/workshops at many venues such as Japan-America Society of Washington D.C. and Carrol County Arts Council, annually workshop at many Anime conventions. She currently accepts private students only.
In early 2013, she founded Washington D.C. Kimono Club. The Club welcomes her Kimonos students who loves/sincerely respect Kimono, Japanese seasonal culture, traditional Japanese custom/manners, and Kimono decorum. Members receive the opportunities to model at her Kimono fashion shows/dressing demonstrations, participate in Japanese seasonal cultural events in Kimono, and attend Washington D.C. Kimono Club’s special workshops.
In October 2015, Rev. Kuniko Kanawa humbly received a Shintō priestess certification through Ama-no-Iwakura-Jingu, the independent Ancient style Shintō shrine in Horoshima prefecture. She was naturally guided to this path through deeply pursuing the traditional Japanese culture in her profession to rediscover Shintō playing a remarkably significant role as a core soul of Japanese culture/spirituality. She now takes a part to pass it on to the next generation.
The enshrined Kamunabi/Kannabi (sacred forest, rocks, tree) behind her Atelier in her private property are not publicly opened to be visited, therefore she majorly travels to conduct various Shintō ceremonies/blessings, Shintō classes, workshops, Misogi-harae Shintō spiritual meditation practices, and Kagura sacred dance.
Rev. Kanawa is classically trained in Kagura Shintō theatrical dance, by Katō Toshihiko-sensei of Kagura institute in Japan. Starting with her first offering stage at U.S. National Arboretum in November 2017, she now offers various kinds of Kagura such as Cherry Blossom Princess, Misogi-Harae purification, clairvoyant Fox, Miko shrine maiden dance, Sunrise dance, pair dance of Sarutahiko-no-mikoto and Ameno-uzume-no-kami, Cleansing purification, etc.
In relation to introducing the indigenous spirituality of Ko-shintō (ancient/old Shinto), she also runs KAMUNABI Photography to share with the world the beauty of KAMUNABI, where Kami dwells in great sacred nature and phenomenon in all universe, which can be universal in many other countries.