Gallery

THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu Discusses the Appeal of 'Hand & Arm Cream AC' Gallery

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> The history of textile dyeing with plant-based dyes is ancient, and the techniques for dyeing silk threads are said to have developed with the introduction of Buddhism. Mayuko Shimizu, a textile artist who carries on this long tradition, studied under Fukumi Shimura, a Living National Treasure in Tsuzure-ori weaving. After completing her training in Kyoto, she now works based in Kamakura.

(Photo: Takao Oya)

"In one of Sensei Shimura's books, there's a passage about dyeing with cherry blossoms. It said that dyeing with the pale, beautiful petals resulted in a light green, but dyeing with the bark yielded a cherry blossom pink. That stayed with me. Later, when I actually dyed threads with cherry branches myself and achieved a subtle cherry blossom hue, I was deeply moved. I was inspired by the colors not apparent on the surface, by the life force stored within the plants."

(Photo: Takao Oya)

"I've always loved touching soft things like fabric and thread. That's why I was interested in textiles from around the world, but when it comes to materials, my encounter with silk thread was truly significant. The luster, suppleness, and pure, unblemished white of the thread spun from cocoons are exceptional."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "After dyeing the threads, I weave them into fabric on the loom. If my hands are rough, the thread can catch on hangnails or small cuts during this process. That's why hand care is always about prevention for me. THREE's Hand & Arm Cream AC feels better to use than other hand creams. And the fact that it's plant-derived, with familiar ingredients like yuzu and plum, gives me a sense of security."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "There are daily surprises and discoveries with plant colors. It's a continuous stream of the unexpected, to the point where I feel it's presumptuous to even imagine what color might emerge. It always surprises me, in the best way possible (laughs)."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "At first, I failed repeatedly. I'd choose dyes thinking, 'I want this creamy color with a hint of red,' but it wouldn't turn out as I intended. The color would just slip away. Ultimately, I was trying to control living things for my own creative purposes."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "As I experienced more and more how the colors would elude me the more I chased them, I realized I should try to adapt to the plants, to focus on bringing out the best in the plants themselves. Now, I dye threads while wondering, 'What color will this yield?' and then think about what I can create with it."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "When I align myself with the colors of the plants, I often achieve a transparency I hadn't seen before, and I can feel that I've brought out the plant's best state. They are vibrant, each with its own warmth and depth. It also sparks my creativity."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> In the home where the interview took place, there is a room with a loom. Warp threads are stretched across the traditional loom, and with a tool called a shuttle, the weft threads are repeatedly passed between the warp threads, which are divided into upper and lower sections. Shimizu says she works at a pace of about 3 shaku (1 shaku is 37.8 cm) per day, but a bolt of fabric for a kimono is typically around 32 shaku (about 12 meters). Her patience and concentration are immeasurable.

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> In addition to her own creative work, Shimizu also holds workshops where people can experience dyeing. "They are always surprised that colors can be achieved with such everyday materials. I don't want to make dyeing seem like something special. I want people to experience the joy of dyeing various materials with plant-based dyes, not just silk thread. ... The sensations from one's hands are important."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "When I first started this work, I felt like I was moving my hands based on what I was thinking in my head, which is why I often struggled. But as I practiced, my hands began to keep up with what my mind was trying to do. Then, as I continued, my hands started to move first. In this work, where I use the pads of my fingers to gather threads and touch the fabric, I keenly feel that change. That's why I never want to dull my sense of touch."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "I feel that I stand between the plants, from which I receive the colors of life, and the people who will wear the finished pieces, acting as a gentle presence for both. This resonates deeply with THREE's philosophy of sincerely accepting nature's blessings and utilizing them fully."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> "When someone who wears my kimono tells me not just that it's 'easy to wear,' but that they feel 'like they are wearing themselves,' I am truly happy. That's when I know this is what I wanted to do. Perhaps it's the role of an 'artist' to express themselves through their work, but I believe there's value in an artist who doesn't impose themselves. There's something I need to do between the plants and the wearer. I believe this leads to a mindful approach."

<strong>THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Power of Plants</strong> There are as many colors as there are plants, and the colors vary with the season and the land where they grew. The colors, dyed according to what the plants naturally yield, offer daily, unexpected wonders. From left to right in the photo are threads dyed with mugwort, stink bug tree, cherry blossom, coral tree, cinnamon, Japanese bayberry, white oak, and Japanese sumac. Combined with the luster of silk, they emit a soft glow. These threads are woven into fabric and reborn as kimonos. Each step of this immeasurable process is imbued with Shimizu's thoughts.

THREE | Textile Artist Mayuko Shimizu on the Charm of "Hand & Arm Cream AC" Gallery

Back to Article