Akemi Sagawa, Founder

Akemi Sagawa founded Five Senses Foundation in 2017 to share Japanese traditional arts and culture by making them relevant to today’s lifestyles.

Akemi is a native of Japan and has exhibited her work in museums and fine restaurants.  Akemi has a law degree from Kyoto University, an MBA from Stanford University, was formerly with Microsoft, and was a software company founder. 

Board Members

  • Joann Quintana

    Community Arts Advocate, Strategic Communications and Political Consultant, Musician, Writer

  • Chika Machida Franck

    Chika Machida Franck

    Marketing professional, passion for the arts, inspired by the aesthetics and ideas of her Japanese heritage

Advisory Team

  • Taiji Miyasaka

    Professor in the School of Design & Construction and Co-Director of the Reuse Design Laboratory at Washington State University

  • Naomi Kasumi

    Professor of Design, Director of Design Program, Japan Program and Siena Program (studio art in Italy) at Seattle University

  • Carol Kipling

    Designer and consultant with expertise in build projects, bespoke furnishings, and the stewardship of fine art collections