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Offering Japanese culture, handcrafted art, Buddhist meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Reiki healing
Konnichiwa my name is Noriko!
On a Tuesday morning, 17th January 1995, I awoke to a 7.2 earthquake in Kobe, Japan. At 5:46am, my house and tailoring business was destoryed in less than 20 seconds. I luckily survived unharmed, but with my home and livelihood gone I would leave Japan to start again in New Zealand.
Arthur and Sakura-chan
Some of my tailored dress
Another tailored dress
Arthur and Sakura-chan
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Kobe Earthquake 1995
Kobe Earthquake 1995
Kobe Earthquake 1995
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Before the earthquake, I had previously holidayed in Auckland, where through mutal friends, I met a man named Arthur. Arthur and I kept in touch and a year after the Kobe Earthquake, I accepted Arthur's invitation to move to New Zealand. In 1996, Arthur and I would become business partners in Kikuart, and later would become husband and wife.
Our business name, Kikuart, is a combination of my surname "Kikuchi", (which means field of chrysanthemums) and "art". The logo also has a stylised chrysanthemum surrounded by a healing aura. It represents both my artistic and wellbeing abilities.
Kiku means chrysanthemum
Kikuart Logo since 1996
Kiku means chrysanthemum
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My Christchurch studio
Sakura tree outside of my home in CHristchurch
My Christchurch studio
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Starting in Remuera, in 1998 we would move to Christchurch and continue our business there - I would handle the artsy side of things and Arthur would handle the business side. We happily ran our tailoring and teaching business from our home for 10 years until 2008, when Arthur would pass away from cancer. I would continue our business, adding Kundalini Yoga and Reiki Healing to the list.
In 2011, the Christchurch Earthquake would begin another journey for me where I would move throughout New Zealand. In Whangarei I would start again, now adding Meditation and Hypnotherapy to the list. I would stay in Ruakaka for 4 years until a chance encounter would led me to Taumarunui.
Christchurch Earthquake 2011
Fishing in Waipu
Ōwhango with my friend Yuu
Christchurch Earthquake 2011
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Tipi at Art Market 2018
Arts & crafts at my home studio
Eco-friendly bags in my home studio
Tipi at Art Market 2018
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Since 2015, I have lived in Taumarunui offering classes and teaching opportunities in Kundalini Yoga, Reiki Healing, Meditation and Hypnotherapy. I have been able to expand my business to include my arts & crafts, where I share my Japanese culture to my community. I often attend many of the local markets and like in Christchurch, run classes from my home.
I hope this little bit of insight gives you enough trust to join me sometime for a class or a session. I am always open to sharing my knowledge in Japanese culture, art or wellbeing, so please feel free to reach out in the from below. Thank you for visiting my website and I hope to see you in the near future!
Norilko Kikuchi.
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