Kinuyo said “I only use second-hand cloth.” I knew she did, but never thought it was the “only” material she used. “Or scraps,”...
Tangible Wisdom
Excavating the Shape Beneath
Old, beloved, used, and softened cloth. A needle and threads. That’s all to begin with. Stitches around the windows where...
Sarasa – Traces of Cultural Confluence in Japan
Sarasa is said to have been born in India; the textile with grand, playful, and colourful patterns. As "Good Things Always...
Used Cloth Only
“I don’t need to worry about the ‘chosen ones,’ they naturally shine. I’m more interested in shedding light on those who otherwise will be forgotten.”
Excavating the Shape Beneath
Here, I am reminded of the words of a Buddhist sculptor, who says it’s not him to give shape to a piece of wood: rather, his work is to help it manifest the shape hidden beneath, which has always existed within.
Sarasa – Traces of Cultural Confluence in Japan
Imagine how vivid the patterns must have looked then. So, as we usually do, the Japanese tried to recreate it
Cracks and Bumps Are All There to Be Cherished.
they are the traces of one’s life, like broken joints and swollen knuckles…
No Way We Can Ever Call Ourselves Self-Taught.
When we realise everything we touch, or even the things we think we create, is built upon the layers of lives, wisdom and works of others…
In Rave of Handmade
In Rave of Handmade
A Little Prayer Sewn In
The act of sewing is, or used to be, universal. It was a way to make most of the resources we had a limited access to.
As most of us are now able to purchase clean, new clothes cheaply, the act of mending and stitching doesn’t seem to make sense at least in terms of efficiency.
Better to be heard than touched…?
Sensual sound of kinuzure Let our imagination fly free while listening to this. What did you see? A court lady taking off one of many layers of kimono…? Then you have a superpower! It was actually Norio Arai, rolling up almost 13-metre-long fine silk fabric...
Touch Me
Shining like baby skin First, I want you to touch me. The slick, silk-like surface smoothed by thousands of touches, brushstrokes, and… whetstones. I’m speaking of the urushiware lacquered by Senro Sato. I don’t know how many Japanese households use real...