Meet Shiho Brenner

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shiho Brenner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shiho, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

When I think about how my journey began…
it always takes me back to one small memory —
a four-year-old girl in Japan, wrapped in a yukata.

It was the middle of winter.
Everyone told me it was too cold,
but I refused to take it off.
That soft cotton fabric, the smell of summer,
the way the obi tied snugly around my little body —
it made me feel warm, safe, and beautiful.
I didn’t have the words back then,
but my heart already knew:
kimono was my comfort, my joy, my identity.

As the years went by, I moved far away —
across the ocean, to a place where cherry blossoms didn’t bloom in April,
where I became a wife, a mother, a bridge between two cultures.
Life was full and busy,
and somewhere along the way,
that little girl’s yukata slipped quietly into memory.

Then one day, I opened my closet and found an old kimono.
The moment I touched it,
the scent of home, the warmth of my grandmother’s hands,
and the laughter of that stubborn little girl all came back.
I realized — kimono isn’t just fabric.
It carries love, history, and soul.

When I began wearing it again in America,
people would stop me and ask about it —
“What does it mean? What’s the story behind it?”
And as I explained, I found myself rediscovering not just culture,
but myself.

That was the moment I understood my purpose.
To share the beauty of kimono,
to tell the stories woven into each thread,
and to remind others — and myself —
that who we are is something to be celebrated, not hidden.

Today, when I help someone wear kimono for the first time,
I see that same spark I felt at four years old —
a quiet joy, a sense of belonging,
a connection that transcends time and place.

My purpose didn’t come from searching.
It came from remembering.
And from the gentle whisper of that little girl in a yukata,
who still lives in my heart.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story.
I’m a Kimono Ambassador, cultural storyteller, and children’s book author based in San Diego. My mission is to bridge Japanese tradition and modern life — to show that kimono is not only a piece of clothing, but a living art form that carries stories, emotion, and connection.

Through my brand Kimono Suishin, I sell and style authentic vintage and modern kimono, host kimono workshops, and collaborate at Japanese cultural events across California — including Taste of Japan, OC Japan Fair, and Japan Family Day. I love seeing people’s eyes light up when they wear kimono for the first time — that moment of transformation is truly magical.

In addition to kimono, I’m also passionate about storytelling. I write and publish children’s books that celebrate kindness, diversity, and Japanese culture — such as “Yokai’s Magic Words” and “I Shine” Each story carries a message of love, respect, and self-acceptance, inspired by both my Japanese roots and my life in the U.S.

What excites me most is blending the old and the new — honoring cultural traditions while sharing them in creative, accessible ways. Whether through fabric or words, my goal is to create moments of beauty and connection that remind people: who you are is your greatest art.

Looking ahead, I’m preparing for several new cultural collaborations and kimono styling events this fall, as well as launching new bilingual picture books that weave together Japan’s heart and America’s spirit.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that shaped my journey most deeply are curiosity, resilience, and gratitude.

Curiosity opened every door for me.
It’s what led me to explore kimono beyond fashion — to see it as art, history, and emotion all woven together. Curiosity also helped me embrace life in a new country, to learn from people of different cultures, and to keep asking, “What can I share? What can I learn?”

Resilience kept me going through every challenge.
Living abroad, balancing family and career, and building something from scratch — it wasn’t always easy. But kimono taught me patience and endurance. Every knot, every layer takes time and care, and so does growth.

And most of all, gratitude has been my compass.
No matter how small the step, I always try to say “thank you” — to the people who support me, to the culture that raised me, and to the opportunities that allow me to share beauty and meaning with others.

My advice for those starting their journey:
Stay endlessly curious, especially when things feel uncertain.
Be kind to yourself as you grow — progress is quiet, but powerful.
And always move forward with gratitude. When your work comes from the heart, it will naturally touch others.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was that they believed in me — completely, and without conditions.

They didn’t push me to become someone I wasn’t.
Instead, they gave me the freedom to explore who I could become.
Whether it was wearing a yukata in the middle of winter when I was four years old, or deciding to move across the ocean to start a new life, they always supported me with quiet strength and gentle trust.

My mother taught me the beauty of Japanese tradition — the value of grace, respect, and care in everything you do.
My father showed me how to dream beyond borders — to stay curious, to keep learning, and to face challenges with calm determination.

Their love and example became the foundation of everything I do today.
When I share Japanese culture, or help someone experience the beauty of kimono, I often feel as though I’m continuing the love they poured into me — passing it forward, one person at a time.

That’s the greatest gift they ever gave me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimonosuishin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimonosuishin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimonosuishin

Image Credits

Vincent Gotti