Rinko Kawauchi is a Japanese photographer known for her luminous, contemplative images of everyday life. She was born in Shiga Prefecture, Japan in 1972 and studied graphic design and photography at Seian Junior College of Art and Design in Kyoto.

Kawauchi first gained recognition with her debut photobook "Utatane" in 2001, which featured a series of dreamlike images of the natural world and everyday objects. Since then, she has published several more photobooks, including "Aila" (2004), "Cui Cui" (2005), "The Eyes, the Ear" (2005), and "Illuminance" (2011), which won the International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Best Photobook in 2012.

The artist's work often features natural elements such as flowers, birds, and insects, as well as everyday objects such as toys and household items. She has a keen eye for color and composition, and her images are characterized by their delicate, ethereal quality and their ability to capture the beauty and wonder of everyday life.

In addition to her photography, Kawauchi has also worked in other media, including video and installation art. Her work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows around the world, including at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, and the Rencontres d'Arles festival in France.

Kawauchi has received many awards and honors for her work, including the Kimura Ihei Photography Award in 2002 and the International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Art in 2009. She is widely regarded as one of the leading photographers of her generation, and her work continues to inspire and captivate viewers around the world.