Meet our collaborators
Hanato grows through the people who bring their own relationship with material and craft into this space. Founded by Soonhwa Kang — read her story [here] — Hanato has become a place where slowing down, listening to the material, and meeting open-minded people sits at the heart of everything. The artists, makers, and collaborators below each share that spirit, through their own practice.
Chika Ito (Japan), based in Den Bosch
Artist - Bookbinding and Printmaking
Chika Ito is a Japanese artist based in the Netherlands whose work bridges printmaking, papermaking, bookbinding, and sustainable material research. Trained in the U.S. and active internationally, she has over 30 years of experience creating her own inks, papers, and prints using natural and locally sourced materials. Her workshops draw from traditional Japanese techniques and philosophies while inviting contemporary, ecological perspectives. Chika's approach is rooted in handwork, cultural dialogue, and a deep engagement with nature.
With Hanato, Chika has collaborated on the Suminagashi (Japanese marbling) and Watoji (Japanese bookbinding)workshops.
www.chikaito.com
instagram: @atelierchikaito
Emi Tsutsushio, STUDIO EMIT (Japan), based in Den Bosch
Designer - Woodwork, Weaving, Sustainable design
Emi Tsutsushio is a designer working across woodwork, framing and weaving in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. From her collective studio and wood workshop she creates interior objects from wood and sustainable materials with regenerative design approach, appreciating handwork and contemporary craftsmanship.
With Hanato, she has collaborated on the weaving workshop.
www.studioemit.com
instagram: @studio_emit
Masako Higashi (Japan), based in Heemstede
Teacher/artist - Ikebana
Masako Higashi has practiced ikebana for over 50 years and holds a 2nd-degree (Nikyu Shihan) certification in the Sogetsu school of ikebana. To complement her practice, she also creates her own vases and ceramic objects. Deeply committed to promoting understanding of Japanese culture in the Netherlands, she offers lessons not only in ikebana but also in the Japanese language.
Her dedication and expertise have been recognized in various ways — she was featured on the KRO television program Zin in Morgen and has given a workshop at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam.
with Hanato, she has collaborated on the Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) workshop.
www.hanakunst.com
Vita Khaidurova (Ukraine), based in Haarlem
Artist - Ceramic and Graphic
Vita Khaidurova is a graphic artist and ceramicist with formal art education from Ukraine. She graduated from the Academy of Arts, specializing in book illustration. Over many years, she worked as an illustrator, created etchings, exhibited her work, and developed personal art projects. More recently, she has focused on her own ceramic line, blending traditional Ukrainian motifs with European aesthetics. Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, she has been living and working in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
With Hanato, she has collaborated on the Ukranian paper cutting workshop.
Instagram: @vita95art
