My name is Joni and I am originally from the Big Island of Hawai’i. For the past 12 years I have resided in San Francisco, California. I take my inspiration from my Japanese heritage, Hawai’i background, and my love of the horror genre. Some of my biggest art influences are Tim Jacobus, Ralph Steadman, Stephen Gammell, and Junji Ito.
What is “Junjiko”?
Junjiko is the “made up” Japanese middle name my mother gave me in order to honor her father, Junji Yamagata. The feminine version of the name “Junji” is actually “Junko”, but my mom wanted to give me his name while making it sound more feminine. When Junji was just 19 years old, his father Heiji was sent to an internment camp in New Mexico and he was left to care for the family farm and help his mother raise his 5 younger siblings. He lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years, but he always remained a hard-working farmer and family man who never complained. I dedicate my art and all that I do in life to the loving memory of my Papa.