Our Story

The idea for NIPPON KOBO was born when we [story of how Haruka & Dice met/created the idea of cultural understanding through art] and inspired by Jikken Kobo – the experimental workshop led by luminary avant-garde artists of Tokyo in the 1950s. At a time when art and entertainment increasingly live online and people are moving away from collective experiences at concerts, events and the theater, we felt a deep desire to re-introduce the magic of in-person, shared experiences to our community.

The Mission

Our mission is to create an innovative community of artists, creators, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts from the SF Bay Area through curated, immersive events that showcase contemporary Japanese art and culture. Each NIPPON KOBO event experience is vibrant and unique, inspiring cross-cultural curiosity and dialogue, and encouraging co-creation of projects that deepen cultural understanding.

The Team

Haruka Fujii, Creative Director

Multi-percussionist Haruka Fujii has won international acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary music, having commissioned and performed numerous premiere works from luminary living composers. She has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the San Fransisco Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Nationale de Lyon, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Haruka is an artist of the Grammy Award-winning Silk Road Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma, and a founder and member of Utari Percussion Duo with her sisiter Rika Fujii. Her first solo recording Ingredients is available at New Focus Recordings. more

Dice Tsutsumi, Visual Art Director

Yukino Pang, Production Director

NIPPON KOBO inaugural event coming to the SF Bay Area summer 2020.

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