1953 Born November 17, Toronto, Canada, youngest of four. 1972 Graduated from Lakefield College School, Ontario Scholar, Senior Art Prize, Senior English Prize. Johnny, age 15, on stage. 1970’s Bachelor of Arts, Victoria College, University of Toronto, Varsity Blues Rugby, Chairman of University of North Carolina Exchange Committee. 1975 First travelled to Japan where I met Mr. Moritaro Hamada, Master of National Intangible Cultural Asset, Sado Bunya Ningyo Puppet Drama. Also met the percussion ensemble Kodo (then Ondekoza). 1976 Intensive Japanese language course at Joint Centre of Asian Studies, University of Toronto & York University. Organized Kodo's (then Ondekoza) first Canadian performances. Studying Bunya Puppet Drama with Mr. Moritaro Hamada 1979 I Invited Mr. Hamada for his first trip abroad to perform at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre. Demonstrated puppet carving at the Wood Show, Ontario Science Centre. Proprietor of Japanese folk art and antique shop, 'Okame' in Toronto. 1979-85 Freelance translator/interpreter in Canada and Japan. Toured extensively around the world with Kodo as lighting director and interpreter. Appeared as regular commentator with Tomoko Matsushima (in Japanese) on TV Asahi's national noon hour programme 'The Afternoon Show'. A regular on TV Asahi’s ‘Afternoon Show’ with Tomoko Matsushima Engaged Chieko Yoritate in Zurich one week after meeting in Florence. Married 3 weeks later in Tokyo. 1985-89 Worked as translator and wood carver on Sado Island. Held first exhibitions on Sado and Tokyo. 1989-95 Moved back to Toronto, publishing 3 books as illustrator. See Books. Built a 16 foot cedar and canvas Prospector canoe. Also took night school classes in furniture making, stained glass & sculptural welding. 1995: Returned to Tokyo. 1996 One man exhibition at the Canadian Embassy, Tokyo One man exhibition at INAX Space, Kanazawa 1997 One man exhibition at Living Design Centre, OZONE, Shinjuku 1998 Performed Bunya puppets in London and at the Edinburgh Festival at the invitation of the Kodo Cultural Foundation and the Royal Festival Hall. One man exhibition at Piga Harajuku Gallery, Tokyo 2000 Moved back to Sado Works selected for the 'Show 2000', exhibition of works by Canadian artists residing in Japan at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo ‘Sado-ga-shima’ Exhibition 'I' exhibition at INAX Space Kanazawa Tour of England with Puppet Opera ‘The She-fox of Shinoda' 2006 I made a Play/Tea house in my garden together with a carpenter friend using traditional Japanese techniques. Performing (left) with Saruhachi-za Bunya Puppet Troupe. 2007 Founded Tonchibo-za puppet troupe, dedicated to creating and presenting original puppet theatre based on, but not restricted to traditional Bunya Puppetry. 1st performances of ‘To the Isand ‘ at Taikeiji Temple, Sado Island. I founded the quarterly newsmagazine 'The Kodo Beat' and am the editor and chief writer. I live with my wife Chieko, a weaver and translator, and our dog Kyla on Sado Island. Since 1996 I have published a watercolour painting or drawing of Tokyo with commentary each week in the world’s largest circulation newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun. My original paintings are included in numerous private collections and in the the world's premiere collection of children's books and art, The Osborne Collection in Toronto. indexhttp://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~wales/book/book.htmlIndex.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1