Born in Sendai in 1953, Wako Shuji graduated from Zokei University, Tokyo, in 1977. He has exhibited throughout Japan and internationally, including the JPA show since 1979; CWAJ since 1980; Helsinki; Cairo and from 1979-1991 taught art at Zohei University. His works are in the collections of the British Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum, Rockefeller Foundation, Singapore National Museum and the University of Cairo.

Wako Shuji often depicts origami motifs like folded cranes, traditional tops, puzzles, and optical illusions, using lush fabric patterns set against a rich, black background. The artist sees his works as "expressing my inner sense of Japanese tradition seen through my modern eyes". His striking prints evoke a sense of Oriental splendor.a