Manami Okazaki

MANAMI OKAZAKI (maki23.com)is an author and journalist. She has produced 12 books (coffee-table tomes/ visual culture collectibles) on Japanese culture, art, crafts and fashion. Her work has been featured in international media including the LA Times, Wall Street Journal, WSJ Live, Vogue, the Japan Times, MTV UK, Red Bull Radio, ELLE, Canadian Globe and Mail, etc.

Books: TATTOO IN JAPAN

JAPANESE BUDDHISM X HORIYOSHI IIII

KICKS JAPAN

KAWAII JAPAN'S CULTURE OF CUTE

KIMONO NOW

WABORI: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE TATTOO

KOKESHI FROM TOHOKU WITH LOVE

KOKESHI FROM TOHOKU WITH LOVE (2nd Edition)

TOY TOKYO

CREATIVE SOLE

TAKUMI, DOWNTOWN TOKYO ARTISAN CULTURE

LAND OF THE RISING CAT

Manami specialises in traditional Japanese culture (religion, artisans, textiles, woodworking), popular culture, travel, style, fashion, and subcultures. Much of her recent work is focused on human and animal relationships, including pets and society, animal welfare, as well as other aspects of Japanese animal culture. She is a contributor to over 50 titles internationally such as the Japan Times, South China Morning Post and the Wall Street Journal.

Manami has spoken at numerous public events/ institutions such as the Japan Expo (Paris) (2011,2013), Foreign Correspondent’s Club (Japan), Hello Kitty convention, (MOCA, LA),Photo fair (HK), Daiwa Foundation (London), Japan Foundation (London), Japan Foundation (LA)

She holds a bachelor's degree from Tokai University, and a master's degree from Columbia University in Journalism.

Active in philanthropy, she has donated to / volunteered at numerous charity groups. The profits from KOKESHI FROM TOHOKU WITH LOVE went to Tohoku tsunami related charities.