Process
In my studio
in Kumamoto, Japan,
I spend my days
dyeing silk threads
and weaving them into cloth.
Dyeing the Threads
I use two different dyeing techniques.
The first is the traditional method of dyeing silk skeins before weaving.
The second is painting directly onto tightly stretched warp threads with a brush before they are woven.
These painted warp threads are then woven together with the hand-dyed weft threads.
This combination of painted warp threads and hand-dyed weft threads is at the heart of my work.
Preparing the Threads
Before the warp is placed on the loom, every thread must be carefully prepared.
This stage greatly influences the finished textile.
Over the years, I have developed my own way of preparing the threads.
Weaving
Once the preparation is complete, weaving begins.
The warp and weft come together, and the cloth gradually takes shape.
From that point on, I simply weave, letting the threads find their place.
The Finished Cloth
The cloth leaves my loom, but its story continues with the person who wears it.
Over time, it becomes part of their life.
That is the kind of work I devote myself to every day.
From Silkworms
to Kimono
In 2021, I took part in a collaborative project, From Silkworms to Kimono, together with kimono writer Eriko Adachi, sericulture farmer Masami Hanai, and silk reeling and twisting specialist Ai Nakajima.
This 10-minute film follows the journey of silk—from silkworms to reeling, twisting, dyeing, and finally weaving into a kimono. It is available with English and Chinese subtitles.
I hope this film offers a glimpse into the world behind each piece I create.
English Version
Chinese Version