The Art of Becoming

Traditionally in Japan, the kimono is reserved for life’s most significant milestones—Shichi-Go-San (the age of 7-5-3 celebration), Coming of Age ceremonies, graduations, and weddings. As a Japanese immigrant and contemporary fine art photographer, I see these garments not only as symbols of cultural pride but also as visual narratives of identity, growth, and belonging.

This photo series reimagines that tradition through a bicultural lens. Rather than presenting the kimono as a fixed or formal artifact, I center the individuality of Japanese-American children, celebrating who they are right now, in this moment of becoming. The kids are encouraged to be themselves, to move, play, and express their quirks and uniqueness freely—even in traditional attire. By allowing their personalities to shine through, these portraits help nurture a sense of self-worth and belonging, reminding each child that heritage can be a place of joy and self-celebration.

This body of work is both a tribute and a transformation: it honors the richness of Japanese heritage while making it accessible, meaningful, and resonant for a new generation growing up in the U.S. It is not about preserving culture in a old static state—but evolving it with joy, authenticity, and happiness.