CEO and founder of POJ Studio, Tina is a designer by trade with roots in Japan. She serves as a bridge between worlds: Japan and the West, digital and analog, traditional and modern living. Leading the research & development of culturally embedded products, she drives new business initiatives that bring traditional Japanese goods and experiences to those who appreciate them. 

After a fast-paced decade in digital product design across Tokyo and Silicon Valley, she longed for lasting quality, grounded experiences, and a sense of contribution to community. Her mother—a Japanese craftswoman-at-heart—took her to meet artisans across Japan, where she learned many struggled to survive. Those encounters inspired POJ Studio. 

Since its founding, Tina has established a business that preserves traditional craftsmanship and allows an international audience to experience those techniques firsthand. Now a mother of two, her ambition is to help the traditions that inspired her to persevere for generations to come.

With 15+ years of branding and marketing experience from the retail and beauty industries, Jeanne is responsible for guiding the marketing and communication strategies—with a hand in inventory and production—that help put POJ Studio in front of the people who resonate with its mission. Leveraging her experience in the fragrance industry, she also teaches in-studio incense workshops and is involved in the development of incense-related products.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jeanne moved to Kyoto in 2020 and has made her home among the fascinating world of craft and culture in the ancient city.

She is someone who loves to work with her hands, resonating with the process of craftsmanship, as well as cooking. Jeanne runs her own food brand with the goal of introducing Hong Kong cuisine to the people of Japan, continuing her father's legacy in Cantonese cooking.

As POJ Studio’s Art Director and lead Photographer & Videographer, Sonny captures the essence of traditional craftsmanship, bringing the stories of artisans to life. Her role as guardian of POJ Studio’s visual language keeps the character of the brand consistent and ensures each captured moment is infused with narrative.

Originally from a small Swiss village in the Alps, she learned the art of storytelling alongside great photographers as an editorial designer, studying how to compose, frame, and differentiate good shots. After attending a photography exchange in Kyoto, she returned years later and merged her personal and professional passions at POJ Studio.

Her life blends contemporary aspirations with an appreciation for tradition: she pursues interests in fashion, nightlife, and travel, as well as hobbies like kyūdō—Japanese archery.  She values culture and likes to add a new perspective to it. Kyoto feels perfect to her because of its balance between tradition and modernity.

Motivated by person-to-person exchanges, Yui is at the heart of POJ Studio’s operations. She guides communication with artisans to secure a diverse inventory of handcrafted goods. 

Working closely with Tina on research & development efforts, she helps identify new offerings that will further an international audience’s appreciation of Japanese craftsmanship.

Her interest in this area began at university. A professor shared the stories of craftsmen in a relatable light, and Yui resolved to do what she could to preserve these fading arts. She embarked on projects designed to support artisans and found her way to POJ Studio in 2021. 

Beyond operations, she embodies POJ Studio’s sustainability ethos by collecting materials that have been discarded by artisans, such as scrap wood, and combining them with gold leaf to create something new. She appreciates Kyoto’s natural offerings as well; you can occasionally find her napping along the Kamogawa River.

Nina, POJ Studio's Experiences Manager, orchestrates the studio’s workshops and classes. She ensures that each detail helps immerse participants in the journey and process of creation. She manages the efforts of the Kintsugi and wider Experience team, and guides the execution of the Kintsugi Apprentice Program. 

Nina has always been internationally minded. Originally from Germany, she studied English and Italian translation and rounded out her second university degree in Japanese studies with a semester abroad in Kyoto. Wanting to make Japan her home after completing her schooling, she discovered that POJ Studio was seeking a kintsugi specialist, and joined the team. 

Beyond her professional life, Nina finds solace and expression in kintsugi, photography, and yoga—practices that demand mindfulness, concentrated effort, and a grounded mindset. She also spends time with her puppy, whom she adores.

Jo guides the in-store experience for POJ Studio’s retail visitors. In addition to ensuring the displays immerse customers in the POJ Studio aesthetic, they support in-studio workshops and lead the staff in providing a welcoming environment. 

With a degree in Japanese studies, Jo spent 1.5 years conducting research in Japan. Their interest in Japanese culture led them to POJ Studio, where they’ve been hands-on in introducing customers to artisanal products ever since. 

Their commitment to Japanese traditions is evident: they’ve studied chadō—Japanese tea ceremony—for the past decade. They also love to make things by hand, whether it be kintsugi, sewing, or bookbinding, giving them an added appreciation for what goes into handmade goods.

Keiko, a Kyoto native, has been an integral part of POJ Studio from its inception. She specializes in catering to English-speaking customers at the POJ Studio shop. 

Her journey to POJ Studio began in an unexpected place—an Irish pub—where she discovered a love for engaging with diverse individuals. At the pub, she met Tina’s mother-in-law, whose stories of POJ Studio’s vision and values resonated deeply with Keiko. She joined the team shortly thereafter. 

Beyond her role at POJ, Keiko embraces the spirit of adventure and connection. She’s an avid traveler and appreciates analog experiences in a digital world. She doesn’t own a phone, finding that this has enhanced her ability to form connections, create lasting friendships, and immerse herself more in the moment.

Rika plays an important role in ensuring that POJ Studio products end up in the hands of customers who are excited to cherish a Piece of Japan for themselves. She connects deeply with the crafts and the people behind them, enriching her knowledge. 

Rika's journey to POJ Studio began when she read a newspaper article about Tina and Tsutsumi-san's collaborative effort on Kintsugi Kits. Inspired by Tina's mission to revitalize Kyoto's traditional crafts, she kept that newspaper clipping as a reminder of the impact POJ Studio aimed to have. Post-COVID-19, Rika reached out, eager to contribute to preserving Kyoto's artisanal legacy.

In addition to her work with POJ, Rika is an experienced tour guide, which has allowed her to hone her communication skills and deepen her appreciation for Kyoto's rich cultural heritage. She also has spent over a decade studying the art of Japanese tea ceremonies, to enrich her cultural appreciation further.

Satoko guides students through Kintsugi workshops in French and English, giving them an accessible introduction to the delicate art form she’s been studying for five years. 

Her career path was marked by roles that kept her close to artisanal handiwork, including a French life concept store and a shop that sold bamboo goods. Her journey into the world of traditional crafts began in a Japanese antique gallery in Kyoto, where she first encountered kintsugi detailing. To preserve the bowls they sold, she began to learn how to mend the wares in the kintsugi tradition. She joined POJ Studio as a Kintsugi Teacher, applying her material culture background and passion for traditional methods.   

Her artistic sensibilities and appreciation for culture extend into her daily life, with frequent visits to art galleries, and a desire to master genjikō, a traditional game that involves identifying scents within censers.

Wendy is a Kintsugi Restorer at POJ, handling kintsugi repairs and contributing to the learning experience of the Kintsugi Apprentice Program. She considers the individuality of each piece, crafting an entirely custom repair solution that is thoughtful and functional.

Wendy’s background as an art restorer for a museum’s Far East collection lent itself to the practice of Kintsugi. While her restoration career initially inspired her interest in the Japanese art of repair, it was the philosophical aspect of respect for materials and nature that turned it into her full-time pursuit.

She finds joy in a lifestyle inspired by Zen Buddhism that prioritizes the simple beauty of things, allowing her to work with her hands and be a part of the stories of the pieces she helps repair.