Kumiko Machida Tokyo Hand-Painted Yuzen／Tokyo Metropolitan
Biography
brief personal record
Born in Tokyo, Japan
Graduated from Tokyo Dyeing Art College
Studied under Ryuji Nagasawa for 10 years
Independent in 2009, working at his studio and store in Tokyo
Certified as a traditional craftsman by Ota Ward in 2019
Awards
Honorable Mention Awards
Dyeing Art Exhibition Contest Encouragement Prize, Dyeing Art Exhibition Prize
Selected, National Exhibition of Dyeing and Weaving
Selected, National Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Profile
What inspired you to get into this work?
I have always loved and learned painting and was interested in Japanese culture.
When she was a junior high school student, she visited Kanazawa on a family trip and was struck by Kaga Yuzen. She wondered why the pictures were connected even though there were seams and how they were made, and decided that she wanted to dye them herself.
What do you want to appeal the most in your work?
My motto is to create pieces that complement the person wearing them and do not show too much.
I specialize in a wide range of styles, from cute to interesting to cool.
What do you keep in mind when creating your work?
I believe that a kimono is completed when worn.
I take special care to adjust the base color and hue. I make kimonos with coordination in mind so that I can put myself in the customer's shoes and think, "It would be nice to have something like this," or "It would be beautiful, and I would like to wear it.
What do you want to achieve from now on? Or how do you want to live?
I always want to do my work with the kimono wearer and future wearers in mind.
I want to not only carry on the tradition but also take on the challenge of making new things and proposing interesting things.
I want to create a new way of craftsmanship for my successors.