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Born in 1941 in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Yufu Shohaku is a distinguished second-generation bamboo artist. As the son of esteemed bamboo craftsman Yufu Chikuryu, Shohaku was immersed in the art form from an early age, beginning his journey into bamboo weaving during his elementary school years and achieving mastery by middle school. His hometown, celebrated for its rich tradition of bamboo craftsmanship, provided an inspiring backdrop for his artistic development. Under his father’s mentorship, Shohaku honed his skills and contributed to the creation of various styles of flower baskets that have become emblematic of Beppu's cultural heritage.

Shohaku's artistry is characterized by the traditional Beppu rough-plaited technique, which ingeniously blends plant roots and bamboo chunks. His works are celebrated for their dynamic and energetic forms, often incorporating bamboo branches, roots, half-split bamboo segments, and bamboo ropes. This approach not only showcases his technical prowess but also reflects a deep connection to nature, as he draws inspiration from natural forms such as the earth and cliffs. Shohaku believes that beauty and functionality are at the core of his art; upon completing a basket, he arranges flowers in it to assess its success, emphasizing the inseparable relationship between baskets and floral arrangements.

Throughout his career, Shohaku has been an active and influential figure in the bamboo art community. He leads his local bamboo art professional association and has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Beppu Mayor’s Special Recognition Award and the Chairman’s Prize at the Beppu Traditional Craft Arts Exhibition. His works are part of esteemed collections, such as the Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Craft Museum and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

In recognition of his significant contributions to traditional crafts, Shohaku was designated a 'Special Person of Cultural Merits' by Beppu City in 2018 and a 'Person of Cultural Merits' for the Traditional Crafts Industry by the Kyushu Ministry of Economics, Trade, and Industry in 2021. He has also been certified as a 'First-class Skilled Technician' and a 'Traditional Craftsman' by the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries.