Our Philosophy
Creating quiet moments of presence
through Japanese culture.
Founder
Kumiko Jistukawa （Cultural Visionary & Curator of Japanese Artistry)
Based in New York, I work with private clients to create intimate, highly personal cultural experiences that bring Japanese aesthetics into everyday life.
Kumiko Jitsukawa is the founder of Ki-Chu New York,
a practice centered on quiet, personal cultural experiences.
With a background in design and a deep connection to Japanese artistry and traditional aesthetics, she creates experiences that invite people to pause and reconnect with a quieter rhythm of life.
Her work moves between New York and Japan, guided by trusted relationships that open the door to encounters with artisans and cultural figures not typically accessible.
Often shared quietly and by introduction.
Rooted in the philosophy of Ki-Chu “其中” — meaning “everything is within” —
we create intimate moments of stillness within a fast-moving world.
Each experience reflects the beauty of imperfection,
the art of quiet presence,
and the harmony between people, objects, and space.
Through Japanese culture,
we offer a gentle return —
to nature, to time, and to oneself.
MY STORY
More than twenty years ago, matcha was still widely seen as something reserved for formal tea practitioners. At the time, I was working in New York as a lighting designer. One day, hoping to bring a small moment of joy to my French boss, who deeply loved Japanese culture, I brought matcha, a tea bowl, and a bamboo whisk to the office and prepared a bowl of tea for him.
The Story Behind This Experience