Training, Qualifications & Experience
Japan - 1966 to 1995
The Early Years
1966 - Begins to make garments using a knitting machine at home in Kobe.
1967 - Studies patternmaking and undertakes making garments to order, now using two types of knitting machine.
1973 - Commences an apprenticeship in professional dressmaking at a ladies haute couture tailoring shop in Kobe.
1978 -
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June: Completes the one-year Vocational Training Instructor's Certificate Course in Tailoring and Dressmaking, as prescribed by the Japanese Ministry of Labour and accredited in Kobe by the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture;
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July: Awarded a Licence by the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture to practise as an accredited Vocational Training Instructor in Tailoring and Dressmaking.
1979 - October: Awarded the Japanese Ministry of Labour Certificate of Accreditation as a Licensed First Class Master Tailor and Bespoke Dressmaker of Ladies' and Children's Apparel.
1980 -
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Studies fashion design under the famous Kobe designer, Shogo Nakanishi;
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Draughts patterns and constructs garments under contract to Nakanishi for his fashion show entries in Osaka.
1981 - Establishes "PLUS ONE", her own dressmaking and teaching concern, in Kobe.
Discovering Kundalini Yoga
1989 - Begins to study and practise Kundalini Yoga, attending classes in Kobe under the guidance of Sada Anand Singh Khalsa, a teacher from the 3HO Foundation in America.
1990 and 1991 - Acts as relief teacher in Sada Anand's classes during his absences abroad.
1991 - Visits the USA for two weeks to increase her knowledge and experience of Kundalini Yoga by taking part in several 3HO activities:
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Participates in workshops and attends lectures given by the famous Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., at the June 1991 Summer Solstice Retreat in Orlando, Florida;
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Participates at the ashram of Yogi Bhajan in Los Angeles, California. Attends lectures and personally meets Yogi Bhajan, the inspirational Indian master who introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1968.
1992 - Begins teaching her own classes in Kundalini Yoga and the concept of Self-Healing at the Town Hall in Ashiya, a city near Kobe.
1993 - Starts a second class at one of the Daie Company's cultural centres in Kobe.
1994 - Continues teaching at various locations and relief-teaching in Sada Anand's classes whenever he is absent abroad.
The Kobe Earthquake
1995 - January 17 at 5:46am: Disaster strikes! The Kobe earthquake inflicts a devastating blow on her life, including the loss of her home and business, forced relocation to another city and associated disruptions that last for almost a year.
New Zealand - 1996 to The Present
A New Beginning
1996 -
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February: With her life and affairs prior to the Kobe earthquake now history, makes the momentous decision to emigrate to New Zealand in response to Arthur's invitation to explore new possibilities (see "About Kikuart" for more detail);
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May: Forms a business partnership with Arthur and together they establish KIKUART FASHIONS in Remuera, an inner-east suburb of Auckland;
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September: Noriko and Arthur marry.
1998 - June: Noriko and Arthur move to Christchurch, the main city in the South Island, where they re-establish KIKUART FASHIONS in the inner-west suburb of Riccarton.
The Introduction of Reiki Healing
2002 - Begins to study Reiki, attaining Levels I and II in the Usui System of Natural Healing.
2003 -
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Completes Reiki Level III and goes on to attain the Reiki Degree of Master/Teacher;
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Demonstrates Reiki Healing and Kundalini Yoga as a volunteer at local nursing homes;
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Commences teaching Reiki Healing and Kundalini Yoga as an adjunct to her tailoring activities.
2004 -
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Continues teaching Dressmaking, Reiki Healing and Kundalini Yoga;
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Sets up this Web site (click here);
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Is accepted as a member of Reiki New Zealand Incorporated (click here);
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Hosts Reiki and Kundalini Yoga share groups at the Riccarton Town Hall;
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August: Participates in a two-day Reiki demonstration at The Christchurch International Festival of Japan held at the city's Art Centre.
Additional Activities
2006 -
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Admitted to the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYTA) as a Professional Member;
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Enrolled as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT®) with Yoga Alliance®, a yoga support organization based in Clinton, MD, USA.
2007 and 2008 beyond ... the story continues!
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