アットゥシ織りを半世紀以上にわたり手がけている。オヒョウの皮で作るアットゥシを、キハダの樹皮やアカネ、クルミなど身近な花と草木で染める。染色すると糸がごわつき、織りづらいが「難しい方がやりがいがある」と挑み続けている。淡い色合いの糸で作るしま模様の帯やバッグ、財布などが美しく、全国から注文が舞い込む。1日12時間以上、仕事することもあるが「織るのが好きなので苦痛に感じない」。織れば織るほど、より良いものを作りたくなり、「死ぬまで勉強」が口グセだ。2011年には、北海道アイヌ協会より「優秀工芸師」としても認定されており、受賞歴も多数。アイヌ文化の伝承・保存、後継者の育成に尽力的に取り組んでいる。
She has more than 50 years of experience in weaving attus. She dyes the attus made from lobed elm bark with flowers and plants that grow locally like marigolds, madders and walnuts. The yarn stiffens when it is dyed and is hard to weave, but she continues to take up the challenge, saying that "it's more satisfying when it's difficult". Orders flood in from all over Japan for the beautiful striped obi belts, bags and purses she makes with pale-hued yarn.She sometimes works more than 12 hours a day but says, "it's no hardship because I love weaving". The more she weaves, the more she wants to create good items, and she always says that it is "life-long study".She was also recognized as "an excellent craftswoman" by The Ainu Association of Hokkaido in 2011 and has won many awards.She is vigorously engaged in transmitting and preserving Ainu culture, and in training the next generation of artisans.
