This year and, with Beverly Ayling Smith at my side, I took 17 UCA Post Graduates (MA, PhD and Post Doc) on a research trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Arimatsu, Kanazawa and back to Tokyo. We had the most amazing time visiting a National Living Treasure (thanks to Reiko Sudo), traditional Masters and contemporary, internationally renowned artists and designers in their studios. Here are just some highlights:
Mr. Yasumasa Komiya, National Living Treasure at his Katazome workshop who demonstrated his technique of super fine Edo Komon. and hIs father and grandfather were both National Living Treasures and he became a National Living treasure 2018.
Visit NUNO shop and meet Reiko Sudo
Arimatsu (shibori centre) visit:
Harisho - See the techniques of itajime shibori and mame shibori (a spotted pattern
Marimomen (shop)
Two graduates from Nagoya University own the shop. The shop is normally closed on Wednesday, but they will open on the 6th November especially for us.Shibori dyeing Kuno studio http://www.shibori-zome.com See the technique of arashi shibori.
Shibori museum
Workshop and visit Suzan
Sekka shibori (snowflake tie-dye) workshop
Visits to studios of Jun Tomita and Hiroyuki Shindo
Presentation and discussions with Chiyoko Tanaka, Suzumi Noda
Visit HOSOO one of the old NISHIJIN textile companies.
Visit Kenji Kitada at his Kanazawa Yuzen studio for demonstration and talk
Visit Gold Leaf Museum Kanazawa for private tour with Director.
Visit Miho Museum
Full and fulfilling. Unfortunately our flight home was cancelled and our return journey was very stressful. Thankfully we have recovered and all participants have decided to organise an exhibition of work inspired by the trip and invite the Japanese artists to participate. The exhibition will be shown in 2022 at the Crafts Study Centre UCA Farnham and Gallery Gallery Kyoto.
