Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, considered a pioneer of the country's industry and known for his work with David Bowie, has died of leukaemia aged 76, his daughter actress Mirai Yamamoto announced on Monday.

"He left this world peacefully, surrounded by loved ones," his daughter announced on Instagram.

"In my eyes, my father was not only the electric and energetic soul that the world knew him as but someone who was also thoughtful, kind-hearted, and affectionate," she said in the post.

Kansai Yamamoto was known for creating bold avant-garde pieces that defied gender norms and featured brilliant colors and patterns.

Yamamoto leapt to prominence with international shows from the 1970s onwards and won popular acclaim for his collaboration with Bowie, producing a series of outfits for the singer's Ziggy Stardust alter ego.

"I found David's aesthetic and interest in transcending gender boundaries shockingly beautiful," he told website The Cut in 2018.

Yamamoto's designs often incorporated elements from Japanese culture, and he famously dressed Bowie in a cape covered in Japanese kanji characters.

But his eye-catching designs, replete with saturated colors and vivid motifs, set him apart from many of Japan's more minimalist fashion icons.