Hisako Nishisu studied European embroidery under Fumie Itagaki. She is the director of JACA (the Japan Art & Craft Association) where she is involved in promoting the practice of European embroidery and training the next generation of embroiderers. Her motto in her work and instruction in her classes is 'enjoyable embroidery, exciting creation'. She is the author of books on drawn thread work and Schwalm embroidery in her home country of Japan.