Over the past decade few female comic artists have been as beloved as Fumi Yoshinaga. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971, Yoshinaga is a graduate of the prestigious Keio University of Tokyo. A lifelong comic artist and story teller, she made her perfessional debut in 1994 with her short series, The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in many indie comic and fanzine conventions. Since her debut Yoshinaga has been 16 series, a few of which have been adapted into motion pictures and animated TV series. Her work on Antique Bakery sent her into international fame and she has been nominated for the Eisner Award for her titles - Flowers of Life and Ooku-The Inner Chamber. Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She recently exhibited her work in the United States with the touring gallery "Shojo Manga: Girl Power!" (Vancouver, Sacramento, New York, Chicago, Boston).