In Memory of Tomoe Katagiri (1932-2026)

Our great friend and sewing teacher Tomoe Katagiri left this world on May 30. Tomoe touched my life in so many ways, and I will forever remember her with love, admiration, and gratitude. 

​Do you have memories or stories about Tomoe that you'd like to share?  We'd love to post them for others to read. Head over to the Tomoe Katagiri remembrances page and use the submission form there. You can also click comments here on the blog, and your entry will be posted on the remembrances page. 

Here's Tomoe's obituary, which was published in the newspaper on June 14:
       Tomoe Katagiri passed away peacefully at home in Minneapolis on May 30, 2026, at the age of 94. She grew up in Tokyo, Japan, then moved to the United States in 1965, where she and her husband, the late Zen Master Dainin Katagiri (1928-1990), played important roles in the development of Zen Buddhism in America, initially at the San Francisco Zen Center in California. In 1972 they moved to Minnesota, where Katagiri Roshi founded the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis and Hokyoji Zen Practice Community in Eitzen. At that time, Zen was established primarily on the east and west coasts, so they were pioneers in bringing Zen to the Midwest.
One of Tomoe’s first contributions to American Zen was learning how to sew the round zafu cushions that practitioners sit on during meditation. She modified the design, making the cushions bigger and sturdier to better support taller and heavier Western bodies. Next, using reverse-engineering, she worked out how to sew Japanese-style Zen practice garments and then redesigned them to accommodate the variety of American shapes and sizes.
Most notably, Tomoe was one of the first people in the United States to learn the complex techniques for sewing the Buddhist ceremonial robes called okesa and rakusu, which have roots in the Buddha’s instructions to his followers. As she learned, Tomoe also began to teach these challenging techniques to others. Dedicated to the Way of Sewing since first meeting her teacher, the esteemed Zen Master Eshun Yoshida, in 1970, Tomoe was recognized as a sewing master by Yoshida Roshi in a 1980 ceremony held in Japan.
For over 40 years, Tomoe taught Zen sewing in Minnesota, around the country, and internationally, making many lifelong friends along the way. She humbly and patiently guided countless students to engage with sewing as a spiritual practice while they created their own Buddhist robes. In 1986, she wrote Study of the Okesa, Nyoho-e: Buddha’s Robe, a widely used guide to the history, meaning, and techniques of Buddhist sewing that students still rely on. Her knowledge continues to be shared through the teachers she trained to succeed her.
Beyond sewing, Tomoe also contributed to many aspects of Zen Center life. Her warm heart and sincere presence helped people feel at home with Zen, and many saw her as a guiding spirit.  After retiring in 2013, she found joy in creating beautiful and nourishing gardens at home and at Hokyoji, and spending time with friends and her growing family. Throughout her long life, Tomoe was a beloved model of Buddhism as a caring, generous, and attentive way of living every day.
Tomoe is survived by her loving and devoted family: two sons and daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and their families. A memorial service will be held on June 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, 3343 East Bde Maka Ska Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55408.   

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