Yoko Koga Hakataori／Fukuoka prefecture (Kyushu)
Works Available for Purchase
Biography
Lives and works in Fukuoka
2007 Started learning Hakataori at Hakataori DC
2009: Became a certified master of Hakataori hand weaving technique and started her own business
2014: Participated in the 18th Women's Traditional Craftsmen's Exhibition for the first time (and every year since)
2020: Certified as a Hakataori traditional craftsman
Currently working in her workshop at home, mainly making obi belts.
Awards
2011: Selected for the 46th Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and Hakataori Industrial Association President's Award at the 55th New Hakata-ori Exhibition.
2012 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, 56th New Hakataori Exhibition
Selected, 47th Seibu Traditional Crafts Exhibition
2013 Selected, 48th Seibu Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Profile
What inspired you to get into this work?
I was thinking that if I could give shape to my thoughts and feelings at that time, and if it could be a lifelong job....
I was thinking that if I could give shape to my thoughts and feelings at that time, and if it could be a lifelong job... I met Hakataori at that time.
What do you want to appeal the most in your work?
The texture of a hand-woven obi is created using the traditional Hakata-ori technique, which produces a pattern using only the warp threads (warp).
The weft threads (weft) are carefully woven one by one, and the obi is comfortable to wear.
What do you keep in mind when creating your work?
We add a little fun to the designs and colors while considering compatibility with kimonos and ease of matching.
We aim to make obis that are fun and exciting to wear, and when you fasten them with a squeak, you will feel "shan" and ready to go for another day!
We aim to make obis that make you feel like that.
What do you want to achieve from now on? Or how do you want to live?
Traditional Hakata-ori, which uses only the warp threads to produce the pattern, has a unique hand-weaved obi with a unique feel and texture.
I would like to make something other than obi that can make use of this obi fabric.
As for obis, I would like to make obis that have the power to make people want to wear them over and over again, obis that are fun to wear, and obis that make people happy.