Meet Asako Kaplan | Japanese Design Entrepreneur & Cancer Survivor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Asako Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Asako, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I always knew that I had a creative side. However, growing up in a business-oriented Tokyo family, I followed a direction into early childhood Montessori education for over 15 years. After meeting my husband in Tokyo from the New York area, my life took flight over to the US and after a few years in the northeast, our family flew south to Miami 11 years ago. Surrounded by Miami’s artistic and design culture, I had the feeling that my life was heading towards the release of my creative side. Well life can change in a minute, as I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019 just before the onset of COVID. COVID caused a silver lining allowing my family to work and study from home, providing me with the best care when I most needed it. After beating cancer 2 years later, my mother fell ill in Japan and I tried to visit her during COVID but due to Japan’s governmental regulations, we could not meet and soon after she passed away. All of these life-changing challenges awoke my true purpose and creative spirit, especially when I visited Usuki City in Japan, the region which my ancestors of the Inaba samurai clan had ruled from 1600-1874. During my visit, I met the Usami family that operated the Usukiyaki porcelain kiln that was founded by my family in 1801. Seeing this beauty and the hardworking dedicated youth keeping the tradition alive, I saw the opportunity at 54 years old (LIV in Roman numerals) to keep alive my family’s culture and share it with the world. I traveled back to Miami in August 2021 with samples of the beautiful products and connected with the Boffi De Padova design studio team in the Miami Design District. After some discussions, I was invited to join their Miami Art Week/Art Basel event which was the fuse to starting the business in the US market. In February, Usukiyaki premiered in Los Angeles during the Frieze Art Fair at the Boffi showroom. And more inquiries arrive by email daily to carry this line of products. My @InabaStyle Instagram page is slowly growing and I look forward to showcasing the beauty of my local heritage and family history.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a child, I was deeply interested in detailed pencil sketching of Japanese-style anime characters. Although I did not become an artist, I acquired a keen perspective of fine detail which has stuck with me my entire life. Also, I was fascinated by the simplicity, nutritional focus and design sense of Japanese cuisine where one truly eats with their eyes. I started my professional career as a licensed Montessori teacher for early childhood based on the teaching principles of close observation, setting a natural environment, grace and courtesy. After 15 years of teaching, I became a mother and found that my sense of precision, Montessori teaching skills, and focus on Japanese cuisine truly merged when raising my son with an appreciation of good taste and beautiful presentation. Having lived in Miami for 11 years surrounded by strong art and design influences, I wanted to find an outlet to share my passion for my unique perspective. In 2019, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and since recovered, but this experience opened my eyes to the importance of savoring each day and seeing the beauty of things and how a healthy diet and lifestyle are essential for everyone. I now say to people, “stop worrying about the little things, and focus on the big picture.” When I visited Japan last year to the city of my ancestors, I came in contact with the Usukiyaki porcelain kiln that had been founded by my family over 200 years ago. It was at that moment that I connected my passion for detail, natural design, healthy eating, and the spirit of Japanese courtesy to a business plan to share this story with the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The ideal week in Miami would start with an early morning walk around jungle-like Coconut Grove with the sound of iridescent peacocks and great sunrise views from Kennedy Park. I would continue on for a fashionable brunch of rose petal pancakes at Little Hen in Midtown which is quite the spot for Instagrammers. After a quick swim in the ocean off Key Biscayne, I would stop by Nahuen for a miga sandwich, or drive back into Coral Gables for the amazing desserts of Bachour. As the night falls on Miami, I would choose an outdoor dinner spot to see the stars at Fontana in the Biltmore Hotel, Doya for a Turkish escape in Wynwood, or Red Fish off of the scenic Old Cutler Road. But my true oasis from the busy world is Fairchild Tropical Garden where one can wander for hours in nature.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I appreciate all the support of my husband Douglas who is a real fit for me. Not only was he there for every minute during my chemotherapy and recovery, but he has a background in Japanese language, ceramics and luxury branding. His experience helps me to tell my personal, family and brand story.

In Japan, the Usami family and artisans of Usukiyaki porcelain are such great partners in supporting me to expand the brand into the US market.

And a big grazie mille to the Boffi De Padova team for seeing the intrinsic beauty in the Usukiyaki brand and history. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity they offered to include me in their event during the 2021 Miami Art Week & Art Basel calendar, as well as their 2022 Frieze Art Fair event to launch the brand.

Instagram: @InabaStyle

Image Credits
Usukiyaki Festival Go Huber