Shouun Kano was born in Gumma, Japan in 1948. He graduated from Niigata University, where he studied economics. In 1974 he became a disciple of Teizou Souma who was president of Aomori Mingei Kyokai the leading folk art organization of Japan. In 1989, Mr. Kano was chosen to host the Japanese Mingei sector of an exhibition called Europia, sponsored by the Honda foundation. This impressive show was originally shown in Belgium and subsequently in Germany.
			Following these exhibitions Mr. Kano decided to devote himself to designing and building traditional Japanese timber framed houses. He produced more than twenty houses with this original approach, and has given seminars on their construction to over 300 builders and architects. At present, he concentrates on making beautiful and functional wood pieces. Wood represents to Mr. Kano a wondrous gift from the cycle of nature. He feels that it should never be used before the tree reaches its full maturity. He uses timbers from the nationally owned primeval forest, which he then dries for at least five years before beginning to work on them. He aims to produce works that, like the ancient Japanese works of art, they are always fresh and never fade with time. His Writing & Related Links: "Talking Trees" written by Shouun Kano Nihon Mingei-kan:  http://www.mingeikan.or.jp/english World Forestry Center Museum:  http://www.worldforestry.org Honda Foundation:  http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/hf/eng/index.html