東京都出身。20代の旅の途中、たまたま二風谷に立ち寄り、美しい木彫りに心惹かれた。人々があたたかいこの場所で生きていきたいと移住を決意し、1972年に木彫り職人・貝澤守幸門下で木彫り修行を始めた。1979年に独立し、翌80年に「高野民芸」を創業。アイヌの伝統工芸、伝統文様に深くこだわり、名工の図柄を学びながらイタ（盆）、ニマ（器）、マキリ（小刀）の制作に精魂を傾ける。特に、アイヌに伝わる伝統的な五弦琴であるトンコリは、現在二風谷では高野しか作ることができない、貴重な技術だ。また、全国で個展を開催し、アイヌ工芸品の魅力のPRにも努めている。全道アイヌ民芸工芸品コンクールで最優秀知事賞など受賞多数。「高野民芸」店主。
Born in Tokyo. While travelling in his 20s he happened to drop by Nibutani and was fascinated by the beautiful woodcarvings. Drawn by the warmth of its people, he decided that this was where he wanted to live and moved to Nibutani. In 1972 he started to learn his craft from the woodcarver Moriyuki Kaizawa. He finished his apprenticeship in 1979 and established Takano Mingei in 1980. He is profoundly loyal to traditional Ainu handicrafts and designs, and devotes himself to producing ita (trays), nima (bowls) and makiri (knives) whilst studying the designs of skilled artisans. In particular, Shigehiro Takano is the only person in Nibutani today who has mastered the precious techniques required to make the tonkori, a traditional five-stringed instrument that has been handed down in Ainu culture. He holds solo exhibitions throughout Japan and works hard to publicize the charms of Ainu crafts. He has won many prizes, including the Governor's Award for Excellence at the All-Hokkaido Ainu Folk Crafts Contest. He is the owner of Takano Mingei.
