A native of Osaka, Japan, Motoko has performed storytelling and mime professionally since 1993. Her repertoire includes Asian folktales, Rakugo and Zen tales, and mime vignettes, as well as personal stories from her childhood in Japan and life as an immigrant in the U.S.  Her appearances include PBS’ Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and a tour with the CarnegieKids in Miyazaki project sponsored by Carnegie Hall.  The award-winning teller trained with master mime Tony Montanaro.

The entire evening was outstanding!  Motoko translates intrinsically Japanese cultural ideas and idioms for an English speaking audience, and crafts the words to make them understand, laugh and be transported in time and space. – Asian Arts & Culture Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Visit Motoko’s website.