Meet Nao Kobayashi

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nao Kobayashi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nao, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

The sensation of being an outsider, of being the ‘only one,’ has been a familiar experience throughout my life. Whether encountering cultural shifts between Japan and the US as a child, finding my place as an international student, or entering a new community as an artist, I often found myself in rooms where I felt different. Sometimes I was in places where I had no clue about their customs or languages, which led to a tendency to listen more than speak.
Being quiet is not necessarily a weakness. I gradually learned to take time to find my own space and timing in unfamiliar environments, and discovered that holding presence with quiet observation can be a powerful form of engagement. By focusing on active listening, I learned to be aware of patterns and nuances that might be missed in busy talk. My body movement and martial arts practices also helped me, especially in developing sensitivity to communication in human energy levels. It reinforced the idea that communication exists far beyond verbal language, a concept deeply connected to my work with puppetry. Puppets, fundamentally silent, communicate through movement and presence.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a puppet artist, working in design and fabrication for entertainment, art, education, and beyond. What is particularly exciting for me is when I collaborate with other people – artists, dancers, musicians, performers – where I bring a variety of skills to the table, communicating through 2D sketches, 3D sculpting, sewing, or exploration of mixed media. My background in martial arts and movement brings an understanding of movement and the body, adding another layer to puppets and costumes. Bouncing between different vocabularies from multiple disciplines is like communicating with multiple languages; if you do not find effective vocabulary in one language, you can switch to other languages to achieve more precise communication. I enjoy this deep diving into multidimensional communication and finding refreshing solutions.

Working within a creative team feels like a glimpse into the future, almost a spiritual experience. A group of people aims for something that hasn’t existed before, something beyond the reach of one person. These deep collaborations often unlock our intuition, push us to cross creative boundaries for truly innovative solutions, while refining each individual’s strengths and the smallest details.

Beyond the design and fabrication, or collaborative performance world, I also nurture my small, passionate brand called Nuno Zoo (www.NunoZoo.com). ‘Nuno’ means fabric in Japanese, and ‘Zoo’ represents the delightful variety of animal creations that invite interaction. This project sits at the intersection of my lifelong love for art and a deep concern for environmental issues.

Each year, over 90 million tons of textiles end up in landfills, with limited circular recycling options available. Nuno Zoo is my ‘small yet mighty’ artistic action towards this massive issue. I predominantly use recycled materials for all my creations and the shipping – breathing new life into leftover fabric, scraps, and used garments. Gradually, people found what I do, and I began receiving donations from supporters, including local fabrication studios and textile companies, which fuels this ongoing creative cycle.

Nuno Zoo has a unique combination of techniques that has kept developing over 20 years. Each fabric has particular characteristics and stories, so I like to respect their personalities and reflect them in each work. This intimate communication with fabrics lets my imagination and intuition flow. I also do not duplicate patterns but manipulate each fabric piece for each animal, which makes each of them solely individual. It is incredibly rewarding when customers find their personal connections to their particular animals.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

These three things could be key for me: vulnerabilities, effort, and surrender.

Areas where I feel hesitant or afraid can often be clues to my growth. When I recognize a feeling of being stuck, I try to engage with something I’ve been avoiding, even if it seems minor – completing a task I’ve postponed, attempting a challenging physical activity, or experimenting with my new routine, like trying a new drink in a new shop that I’ve never tried. This shift in rhythm often brings about interesting changes in perspective.

Second, I believe in the power of consistent effort. The ability to apply oneself diligently is a fortunate position, and I try to celebrate my tiny, consistent steps. Even when progress or results are slow or feel like they’re not happening, sustainable habits of effort can build our resilience and skill.

Finally, the importance of surrender. Perhaps an old wisdom: after putting forth your best effort, allow the universe to unfold. While pioneering one’s own path can feel like an individual endeavor, I believe it is a dance of a duo, between oneself and the world. We cannot control every aspect, so there is value in creating space for external factors and being open to unexpected outcomes. Be receptive to possibilities beyond your imagination and be flexible to adjust your course.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

This is not a traditional book story, yet the practice of reading cards – tarot and various oracle decks – has been a source of life lessons for me.

In my naive early 20s, I struggled with stubbornness, a trait that often blocked my personal development. One day, a college friend introduced me to card reading. Since then, I’ve been working with card decks, not for predicting the future, but rather as a tool for self-understanding.
It is valuable to approach oneself from multiple viewpoints. Reading cards offers a different lens to see through, to reflect on my current thoughts, feelings, and situations. This reflection process while quieting my daily mind helps to bypass my usual biases and brings a more nuanced and honest understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.NaoPuppet.com www.NunoZoo.com
• Instagram: @nunozoo