Maya Kazi, daughter of a Bangladeshi father and a Japanese mother, was brought up in Tokyo and has visited Bangladesh many times since her childhood.

Known as an essayist on art and culture of Japanese medieval age, Maya is familiar with both Japanese and Bangladeshi cultures. She can also understand simple Bengali.

At the onset of her activity, she delivered a lectures titled “Japanese Arts and Culture in Edo Period: Decipher Medieval Japanese Life and Culture from Ukiyo-e” on February 24 and 25 at Jahangirnagar University and Dhaka University respectively.

She will voluntarily work as a supporter for cultural exchanges of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh during her tenure from February 23, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

“I’m honored to be a cultural bridge between my two countries,” she said adding that the year 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh.

“Towards this celebration, I would like to inspire more Bangladeshi people to know about Japan, as well as help Japanese people know more about Bangladeshi culture,” she added.

She had started her career as a model and a TV personality, and then later started to write essays as well.

Her essays on the art and culture of Japanese medieval ages, especially Edo period (1603 to 1868), are well-received by Japanese young readers, according to Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.

She also has a keen interest in Bangladeshi culture, especially traditional hand crafts such as weaving in Jamdani and Nakshi Kanta. Her favorite food is Bengali curry of her father’s recipe.