Atsushi "Azu" Futatsuya is a Sashiko artist and curator, and the third-generation practitioner of a traditional Sashiko family in Gifu, Japan. He grew up immersed in the world of textile artisanship, surrounded by piles of fabric, needles, thimbles, and endless spools of colored thread.

Having moved to the US after college, it was the passing of his father that fatefully drew him back to the family legacy. Embracing Sashiko from across the ocean, Azu felt the "spirit" rooted within him begin to awaken. This personal journey led him to realize that the true meaning of Sashiko lies in correctly preserving and sharing the profound cultural and spiritual background of Japan.

He launched the "Sashi.Co" alongside his mother, Keiko—who brings over thirty years of stitching expertise—as a platform to showcase their masterful work. While Sashiko is gaining global popularity for its simplicity and the "visible mending" movement, Azu offers a unique dual perspective: he honors Sashiko both as a humble, functional craft and as a sophisticated contemporary art form. Through his social media platform, "Sashiko Story," and a recent feature on the BBC, he continues to introduce the world to the deep beauty and philosophy of this traditional craft.

Keiko Futatsuya's life has long been intertwined with the Sashiko tradition of the family she married into in Takayama, Japan. For over thirty years, she supported the family business from behind the scenes, dedicated to managing the household and providing the foundation for the many Sashiko artisans to flourish.

It was only after the passing of her husband that her own journey as a stitcher truly began. Encouraged by her son, Atsushi, they joined hands to launch the "Sashi.Co" project—supporting one another as they shared the true spirit of Sashiko with the world.

Her work is celebrated for its unique sensibility; while grounded in masterful technique, her stitches are not bound by traditional patterns, but rather express her own artistic vision. Her heart for the craft has led to collaborations with Sashiko lovers worldwide, and also she has dedicated herself to building stitching communities to support the emotional and economic recovery of tsunami survivors.

Today, Keiko continues to create and teach at her home studio in Takayama. In a space filled with her many finished works, she remains devoted to her daily practice and to sharing the joy of Sashiko with those who visit her.