Maria Takeuchi was born and raised in Ueda City, Nagano, Japan.

Growing up surrounded by kimono, she was deeply influenced by the women in her family. Her great-grandmother collected hundreds of kimono throughout her life, while her grandmother worked as a kimono dresser for many years.

Watching them dress in kimono became a quiet and lasting memory from her childhood.

After moving to New York and becoming a mother, Maria experienced a deep sense of isolation. During that time, she found herself drawn back to kimono — not only as tradition, but as a way to reconnect with herself, her culture, and a sense of belonging.

Under the guidance of her grandmother, she later received her kimono dressing certification and transformed this personal journey into her life’s work.

Today, through takeda zen, Maria creates cultural experiences rooted in kimono, ritual, and Japanese aesthetics, inviting moments of stillness, connection, and reflection into modern life.