Two Japanese immigrants successfully start art business in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Two Bay Area residents KRON4 wants to highlight for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month are Japanese-American artists Eri and Ryoko Hiruta.

They are the artists behind Yanchako and Fogcats. If you pop into arts and crafts stores around San Francisco, you’ll see a little black cat often near a little orange crab and in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

This beloved artwork seen in many stores and on many tote bags is created by Eri who is the artist behind Yanchako. If you see little intricate worlds often involving cats, that artwork represents Fogcats, created by Hiruta.

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Both artists were born and raised in Japan, but they didn’t meet until both had moved to San Francisco and started working in Japantown. They became quick friends over their love of Japan, cats, and art.

The two realized they both attended the Academy of Art. Hiruta said, “Art, drawing, all of it helps us to express ourselves.”

Both artists said while growing up in Japan, sometimes you are taught to hold your emotions in.

Both had lived in different parts of the US before settling down in San Francisco. Hiruta said when she moved to San Francisco, she found a city “that feels much more comfortable.”

Hiruta said, “Here in San Francisco, the people are much more open-minded, it’s the reason I love living here. I’m a very shy person, but here it was easy for me to open up to people.” She said she felt like she belonged.

Eri added saying, “The great thing about San Francisco is that people are willing to help each other here.”

Hiruta agreed, saying, “Everyone wants to support local artists here, I love it.”  They started their business during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. The two artists quickly realized that starting a business was harder than it looked.

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From inventory to marketing, the duo quickly had to learn new skills.

As businesses started to reopen, they started setting up tables at art pop-ups around the Bay Area.

Eri said, “We had to muster up the courage to start showing our artwork to people. It’s easy to look at it yourself, but when it’s judged by a customer that’s when you learn if your art is good or not.”

Soon they began to be featured in different art stores. You can find them in all sorts of neighborhoods including Japantown, Sunset District, and North Beach. Eri said, “Creating the Blackcat and this business has helped me to build up my confidence in my art and myself.”

Hiruta agreed saying, “Every time we face a big challenge, we end up taking a big step in the right direction.”  They one day want to open a storefront in the Bay Area. And here’s the best part, they want to use their art to advocate for cats.

The duo plans for part of their proceeds to go to helping homeless felines around the Bay Area. They chose the black cat because in Japan the black cat is lucky. Unlike here in the US, a lot of people are superstitious about black cats.

Eri said, “Often in shelters in the US, the black cats are the ones left unadopted.”

The duo hopes after hearing this story not only will you support them, but also find a good home for a local stray cat. You can find them online, and their next in-person event is on Mother’s Day. They’ll be one of the pop-ups at the Ferry Building.

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