Educated ceramics at The University of Akron (UA), Kent University, the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College, Mikiko Tanaka produces mostly functional potteries, which she can use her lifelong practices such as Japanese tea ceremony and flower arrangement. She often decorates the surface of her pottery with calligraphy and paintings, which are an application of her continuing pursuits of Japanese calligraphy and Sumi-e painting.