About Kazuko "Suzy" Reynolds (Washu)
Kazuko S. Reynolds, whose artist name was Washu, was born in Tokyo in 1920 and came to the United States in 1958. She worked tirelessly to build connections through the teaching of Japanese culture and the arts. Her efforts were recognized in 1999 when the Japanese Consul General in Los Angeles presented her with a Distinguished Service Award for lifetime accomplishments in her field and forging better understanding and friendship between nations. Her work has been exhibited in China, Japan, and throughout the U.S. Although a master artist, she found joy in teaching others and seeing their success. Ms. Reynolds died at age 91 in 2011.
In the year 2000 Washu sensei and some of her students formed the Washu-Kai painting group to carry on the tradition and teaching of Japanese brush painting.
In 2023 as Washu-Kai merges into the Friends of Sumi-e society, we continue to honor the achievements of Washu and her students.
For 45 years the art of Sumi-e has been exhibited in Balboa Park by Sensei Kazuko "Suzy" Reynolds (Washu) and her students to foster and maintain interest in the simple elegance and exquisite beauty of Japanese painting.