Interview with Atelier Kanawa

Atelier Kanawa (means "studio to play Japanese harmony & peace") would love to share her stories of her ancestors who were in Kimono business.
Her great grand father was an artisan to dye Kimono designs, mainly Yukata(summer Kimono), her grand mother was a Kimono tailor, and both her mother & her aunt graduated from Kimono academy and her aunt taught Kimono classes in Japan.

She didn't know these remarkable histories of her family members for such a long time, however, without knowing these facts, one day she became inspired to learn about Kimono.

Since January in 2005, she has been studying Kimono to dress herself, and since March 2006, she has been learning to dress others.
Currently, she is preparing to officially become a certified Kimono Consultant/adviser of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association through "Sodo" Kimono Academy, in Fall, 2007. She accomplished the beginner's level 1, level 2, and also the intermediate level. She is now in the advance course.
You can read the biography of her principal Mr. Norio Yamanaka (also an appointed chairman of the All Japan Kimono Consultants Association) at:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Kimono-Norio-Yamanaka/dp/0870117858

Atelier Kanawa also studies to dye Kimono designs by Bingata Kata-zome which is the traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabric in Okinawa(southern part of Japan), using a resist paste applied through stencil. The term is divided form a combination of Kata(pattern or stencil), and Zome, from the verb Someru(to dye). Bingata Katazome uses all natural ingredients for ink, brush, and fabric.

Atelier Kanawa is also pursuing classical Japanese dance by Hanayagi-style, which includes Geisha dance, Noh, and Kabuki. She graduated from the beginner's level in June 2006, from intermediate level on June 30th in 2007, and currently in advance level.

Lastly, Atelier Kanawa passionately pursues Tsumami Kanzashi, a traditional Japanese long ornamental hairpin.
Today, there are ONLY 15 acknowledged artisans of TSUMAMI KANZASHI in the whole world. Most of them don't have anybody to carry out this traditional art, so it is RAPIDLY & CERTAINLY dying out.
Atelier Kanawa was accepted as a private pupil by one of them even though her master does not train anybody anymore due to critical symptoms of cancer. Her master was deeply moved by the fact the she strongly wants to preserve this artwork and carry this out to the future generation. She can not even put in words how much she was honored to inherit her master's spirit.

At the beginning, she was making things from Kimono because she purely enjoyed handcrafting, but most importantly, she could not afford them, so she had to hand make them so that she could have them whenever she wore Kimono. And one day, people who saw her art work suggested that she sells. This is how she started Kimono handcraft business.

Beside Kimono handcraft, Atelier Kanawa has been selling Chiyo-gami accessories since year 2000, fused glass accessories, PMC jewelries, image transfer accessories, Japanese embroidery since year 2005.

Today, she deeply regards her ancestors who were in Kimono business. She passionately strives to pass this "disappearing culture" on to the next generation throughout the world.

Atelier Kanawa will be very happy if you enjoy her authentic Japanese art work.
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If you are interested in her work, please visit
http://atelierkanawa.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Kimono
• TsumamiKanzahi
• Kanzashi
• Japanese
• Artisan
• Geisha
• Maiko
• Bingata
• Katazome
• Nihonbuyou
• Kitsuke
• 着物
• つまみ簪
• 紅型
• 千代紙
• 日本文化
• 伝統

[milkytinaben]

You , Japanese people, are challenging the nature , this is almost impossible...I have a great respect and admiration for the Japanese history and arts - only mentioning the "Katana" and "Wakizashi" creation ( I am a male person ) and fabrication .I have all the reasons to mark 5 stars , with simpathy .. Giacomo

[AtelierKanawa]

Thank you very much for your comment.

I did not quite understand what you meant by "Japanese people are *challenging* the nature, this is almost impossible", but I appreciate you have a great respect and admiration for the Japanese history and arts.

[milkytinaben]

Congratulations for your art !!And for the Interview, of course. Your beautiful look and the soft and equal voice you are using to explain your trade makes a strong impression on me , and gives me an internal peace I've lost 5 days ago...Thank you for this...

[AtelierKanawa]

Thank you very much for your nice comment!

I really do not know if I have a beautiful look, but I am glad you probably felt my inner beauty(*simile*).

I am a little worried what made you to lose an internal peace five days ago, but I am happy to know that this video gave you an internal peace.

[etsyrules]

what a lovely and bright young lady.

[AtelierKanawa]

Thank you very much for your nice comment!

[aqx770]

It is very sad that some of the very old skills are in such danger. I've seen this before, however it must make your teachers very happy that you are there to pass on these traditions.

[TheLampDancer]

I love your interview. I found a good video that showed how authentic Kanzashi is done. I plan on making some to sell. I love Geisha culture and love Japanese art forms. Im so glad that people like you are keeping it alive. I hate this "modern" sewing technique that people are doing. I think using rice paste makes it look traditional and beautiful. I hope you have many people follow in your footsteps and that more Geisha pop up in Japan. I hope you continue to inspire us with your great artwork!

[TsunadeFTisland11]

Very influential. I heart Japan =)

[soprannaUSF]

I have to admit- your kanzashi are just impeccable! You done so much to uphold the traditions of your culture for both Kanzashi and Kistuke. I hope one day I may be able to own one of your hana kanzashi since they are breathtaking. I do enjoy making them myself, but I have not been trained and I can see the difference, that's for sure.

I give you my respect, sempai (I hope that would be the right thing to say),

-Anna

[SmilinSweetpea]

Thank you so much for posting this. It is very educational and interesting. I am an American who enjoys learning about other cultures and I enjoyed your discourse on leaning more about the traditions of your native culture. I am sorry to hear that some traditions are in danger of being lost.  I hope more young Japanese follow your example and preserve them. I have seen some of your other videos as well and greatly enjoyed them. I look forward to more of your videos.

[rea201722]

Hi,

I find your video presentation very meaningful and productive the young Japanese people. You are so pretty and so good.

[AngelicDisgrace]

You are so cool

[KitsukeGuru]

if only such classes were available to me- i would like to persue a career in kimono making, yuzen, shibori, etc.- I hold such high respect for you, tsumami kanzashi are the most elegant of all hair ornaments- thank you for carrying on such tradition! Live a long, healthy life, Kuniko!

[linu27]

you are really sweet, it is true that not that many young japanese poelpe about their tradtion properly. I've taken a keen interest in the aspects of Kabuki, and i have found some japanese people my age and haven't heard much about it.

i just wish i was japanese very much.

good luck and i will support you every step of the way.

[milkytinaben]

That is why I was using the word "challenge", because of your abilityes in reproducing all kind of flowers and nature, in general ..It is obvious that is "almost" impossible ...

:-)