Kimiko Nishimoto

Kimiko Nishimoto (西本 喜美子, Nishimoto Kimiko, born 1928) is a Brazilian-born Japanese photographer and internet celebrity. She was previously a hairdresser, track cyclist, and homemaker.

Kimiko Nishimoto was born in Brazil in 1928. Her parents taught agriculture to locals. She was the second daughter of 7 siblings. At the age of 8, her family moved to Kumamoto. She graduated from beauty school.^[1]

Nishimoto worked as a hairdresser in her father's salon where she specialized in bridal and Japanese coiffure. After 4 years working as a hairdresser, Nishimoto attended cycling school and became licensed as a professional cyclist.^[1] From the age of 22 to 27, she competed nationally as a track cyclist with her younger 2 brothers.^[2]

In 2001, Nishimoto began her career as an amateur photographer after taking a photography and image processing course taught by her eldest son. In 2011, she had her first solo exhibit at the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art.^[3] In 2018, she had an exhibition named "Asobokane?" (transl. "Shall We Play?") at the Shinjuku.^[1] As of March 2020^[update], Nishimoto had developed a social media presence, with over 220,000 followers of her Instagram account.^[4]

At the age of 27, Nishimoto married Hitoshi, a tax official, and they raised their 3 children in Kyushu. She was a homemaker for over 45 years. Nishimoto's husband died in 2012 of lung cancer.^[1] As of May 2018^[update], Nishimoto resides in Kumamoto Prefecture.^[3] In reference to her longevity, Nishimoto stated that she is a daily cigarette smoker and drinks a tall glass of Bourbon whiskey every day.^[4]