At Rei Cosmetics, J-beauty is more than the products we create. It’s the artistry, culture, and joy we hope to share with you. One of our favorite ways to express this is through our limited-edition Thank You Cards, created in collaboration with Japanese female artists. Each card is a small piece of art tucked into every order.
To welcome the new year, we’re excited to introduce our latest Thank You Card in collaboration with Maho Kino, a Japanese female artist based in New York City.
About Maho Kino
Born and raised in Tokyo, Maho studied at the prestigious Musashino Art University, where she discovered her passion for printmaking, particularly the traditional technique of etching. She later moved to New York to study at The Art Students League of New York, eventually establishing her own printmaking studio, Kino Edition, in Brooklyn in 2000. There, she continues her artistic practice and teaches etching to students from around the world. Her work has been exhibited widely across Japan and the U.S. and has also appeared at Christie’s New York auctions.
Her Craft: Etching
Etching is a centuries-old printmaking process in which an artist draws on a metal plate with a needle, then uses acid to bite into the exposed lines. Ink is pressed into the grooves and transferred onto paper using a printing press, creating detailed, finely textured images.
Maho prints each piece by hand using traditional techniques and Japanese washi paper (Minowashi), bringing exceptional craftsmanship and warmth to every print.
The Peanut Motif
Peanuts appear frequently throughout Maho’s work, a playful, symbolic character inspired by Chōjū-giga, one of Japan’s most iconic picture scrolls. These ancient scrolls feature animals acting like humans and are often referred to as the earliest form of manga due to their expressive storytelling.
Similarly, Maho’s peanut characters represent people - often the artist herself - moving through daily life, dreams, routines, and adventures. They act as quiet narrators of her personal journey, much like entries in a visual diary.
About Fujinuts
Our New Year Thank You Card features Fujinuts, one of Maho’s signature etchings. It depicts her iconic peanut character among dozens of stylized Mount Fuji illustrations, a blend of intricate detail, humor, and whimsy.
Mount Fuji (Fujisan) has long symbolized beauty, resilience, and cultural identity in Japan, appearing frequently in traditional Japanese art. One of the most recognizable representations is Hokusai’s “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” especially the famous South Wind, Clear Sky, or “Red Fuji” print.
At the center of Fujinuts, you’ll spot the striking Red Fuji, with Maho’s peanut character looking down on it - an unexpected, lighthearted twist on a timeless motif.
A New Year Gift from Rei Cosmetics
In Japan, it’s tradition to send New Year’s cards to friends, family, and loved ones. Our exclusive Maho Kino × Rei Cosmetics Thank You Card is our New Year greeting to you, wishing you a joyful, prosperous, and healthy year ahead.