The Story Behind Kikuart Fashions
The Kobe Disaster of 1995
It only lasted 20 seconds, but the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that shattered Kobe, Japan at 5:46am on 17 January 1995 forever changed the life of Noriko Kikuchi. That devastating tremblor claimed the lives of over 6,000 souls and did untold damage, leaving the city and surrounding areas in ruins.
Fortunately, Noriko herself escaped unhurt; however, that fateful Tuesday morning saw both her home and her fashion business completely destroyed. Without warning, the successful career that she had worked so hard to establish came to an abrupt and traumatic end.
The New Zealand Connection
Only six days before the earthquake Noriko had been holidaying in Auckland, New Zealand. Through mutual friends she met Arthur, a businessman who would later become her business partner and eventually her husband.
After a year of uncertainty following the upheaval in Kobe, Noriko decided to accept an invitation from Arthur to join him in New Zealand. Soon after her arrival in February 1996 the pair began to make plans for a new life together. By May they had decided to combine their skills and form a business partnership, which they named KIKUART FASHIONS.
What's In A Name?
"Kiku" in Japanese means "chrysanthemum" and "art" denotes Noriko's artistic abilities, as well as being a nickname for Arthur. Noriko's family name, Kikuchi, translated means a field or plot of chrysanthemums, and thus their logo is a stylized chrysanthemum. (Correctly spoken, Kikuart is pronounced KEE-koo-art and Kikuchi is pronounced kee-KOO-chee.)
The Move to Christchurch
Noriko and Arthur married in September of 1996. In June 1998, after gaining two years' experience with their new venture in Remuera (an Auckland suburb), the couple decided to improve their lifestyle by making the move to Christchurch in the South Island. They settled in the inner-west suburb of Riccarton, where their tailoring services and teaching concerns have since flourished. Noriko attends to the tailoring and tuition, while Arthur manages their business affairs, customer liaison and advertising.
Teaching The Art of Self-Healing
Kundalini Yoga
Noriko has always taken an interest in physical and spiritual well-being and began to teach Kundalini Yoga after a period of training in Japan in 1989. To-day she is an International Level 1 KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher.
Noriko is also a member with professional standing of the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association and is registered as an RYT® 200 professional yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance®, an international yoga support organization.
Reiki Healing
In 2002 Noriko read an article about a natural therapy called Reiki. After researching the subject she decided to undertake a course of study and completed the three degrees of Reiki within two years. Noriko then went on to attain certification as a Reiki Master and Teacher in the Usui System of Natural Healing.
In 2004 Noriko was accepted as an accredited member of Reiki New Zealand Incorporated, the national organization for Reiki in New Zealand and an affiliate member of the New Zealand Charter of Health Practitioners.
Courses
Noriko teaches courses in Reiki Healing and Kundalini Yoga. Information about the wholesome benefits of these healing arts, along with course details, can be found elsewhere in this Web site. (begin here)
Language Note
Courses can be taught in English or Japanese to suit. Noriko is fluent in both languages.
Noriko's Profile
To view a profile of Noriko's training, qualifications and experience, click here.
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