Born in Tokyo, Julie Saiki Nakatani was nurtured in the arts from an early age by her talented parents, Susumu and Kinsui Saiki. The family returned to Mr. Saiki's birthplace in California in the mid 1950s and eventually settled in San Francisco. Dance - both ballet and classical Japanese - preoccupied Julie from age four to 14. In 1972 she went to Japan to receive a Natori degree from the Hanayagi School of Dance. Julie was a versatile young woman, studying violin and piano, and attending Japanese language classes.

While still in grammar school, Julie began studying Ikenobo Ikebana with Mizuki-sensei. She continued to take lessons from her mother and does so today. At regular intervals since 1970 she has taken three courses at Ikenobo headquarters in Kyoto. She holds the teaching degree Junkatoku, Senior Professor of Ikebana, 4th level.

Julie works full time at Union Bank of California, but also teaches ikebana at her home and assists her mother's classes in San Francisco. She previously taught ikebana at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino and the Mandarin Chinese School in Saratoga.

She has demonstrated many times for various groups including the Cherry Blossom Festival, Macy's Department Store, cultural and arts clubs, and Obon festivals. Her work has been displayed in many Ikebana International exhibitions, as well as Tanabata Ikenobo shows, Buddhist Temple Obon festivals, and she has assisted visiting professors. Julie has served as a board member of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Ikebana Teachers Federation and Ikebana International.

Julie Saiki Nakatani, Ikenobo School