This exhibition has been realized with the hope of finding future connections between man and nature. We examine the practices of people who live in harmony with their environment, their views on nature and spirituality, as well as the resurgence of interest in natural fabrics in various parts of Japan.
We proudly invite “Cosmic Wonder with Kogei Punks Sha”, who have continue to explore different material and handmade washi paper, which has ancient roots in Japanese culture, to present natural fabrics chosen from their unique perspective, spinning devices such as the spinning wheel and loom, and potsherds of Jomon-era earthernware, which retain marks of fabric textures, alongside performances using handmade Japanese washi and new video and photography work. In the past, People spun fibers from plants taken from their immediate surrounding, making fabrics, and then constructing clothing and tools to sustain their lives.
These natural fabrics can be made from fuji (wisteria), kuzu (arrowroot), kozo (paper mulberry), hemp, ramie, shinanoki (Japanese linden), basho (Japanese banana plant), and ohyo (Manchurian elm), to name a few They deeply reflect the culture unique to each area and the practices nurtured them.
Making natural fabrics by hand starts with producing the fiber, which requires much perseverance, and one cannot imagine how much work it would take if it were done today. Such precious fabrics have been highly regarded and cherished in their home regions.In Shimane, where there is a tradition of fuji-ori weaving, the worn boro fabric was battered back to pulp. When it is used to the end, nothing goes to waste.
Today, we have come to a stage where we need to reevaluate the relationship we have between nature and man.
In exchange for our convenient lifestyles, we have contaminated the planet and altered our environment perhaps to the point of no return.On the other hand, the way our lives pass along, with the energy provided by this earth, will not change no matter what period we live in.
What do they show us now, these fabrics that exist from the times we were nurtured by the nature around us and cherished what we had? In present times, where there is an abundance of information, the future options we can choose from may be reflected in the very presence of these natural fabrics and handmade papers.
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NONO stands as a word to worship the day/sun, moon, god and buddha.
In Kamiseya, a town with a tradition for fuji-ori, in the Tango region of Kyoto, there is a legend that it was god who taught the people how to weave the fuji cloth.
In Kamiseya, fuji-ori is affectionately called NONO.
Fuji(wisteria), kuzu(arrowroot), kaji(original paper mulberry), kozo(paper mulberry), hemp, ramie, shinanoki(Japanese linden), basho(Japanese banana plant), ohyo(Manchurian elm).
People have spun fibers taken from these plants into fabric.
As the love and wisdom of the universe and earth are embodied in the plants of this earth, we make fabrics out of these plants, and by wearing them, we are able to feel connected to the idea of being one with them.
The workings connect us subconsciously to the universe, and our consciousness as human beings will connect us with all in its entirety.This is where the NONO will emerge.
Cosmic Wonder with the Kogei Punks Sha
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Kogei Punks Sha “Kamisuki-numa of Kinu-numa” 2020. Photography: Yukinori Maeda.
Kinu-numa in Tochigi prefecture is known for its mythical dragon’s palace nestled in the mountains. Local lore of a weaving Princess Otohime is passed on to this day.
“The bedspread of Kamikobu” Fuji, early Showa period, private collection, Photography: Ai Nakagawa.
In Kamikobu, deep in the mountains of Kashima-cho in Matsue, Shimane, the local custom of fuji-ori (weaving wisteria vines) has been passed on for generations.
Kogei Punks Sha “Rinsing kozo in the Naka river in Kito village”, 2020, Photography: Yukinori Maeda.
To this day, in Tokushuma, in the mountains of Kito, Naka-machi, Naka-gun, there is still a tradition of making tafu cloth from kozo (paper mulberry)
COSMIC WONDER
COSMIC WONDER was founded in 1997 by Yukinori Maeda. COSMIC WONDER is a conceptual project comprising various modes of expression from clothing, artwork and publishing to performance.
Since the performance “Kamino-hikarino-awa Water Ceremony” in 2015 for the exhibition “MIERU Kami” (gellery Hakuden, Kyoto), COSMIC WONDER has produced and presented its together with Kogei Punks Sha for the exhibitions “COSMIC WONDER: Lightness of Light” (Iwami Art Museum in Shimane prefecture) in 2017, and “COSMIC WONDER: Harmonic Meditation” (Taka Ishii Gallery, Hong Kong) in 2019.
Kogei Punks Sha
Kogei Punks Sha is an artistic unit creating space for the human spirit. Formed by Yukinori Maeda and Sumiko Ishii.
Kogei Punks Sha performed “Kamino-hikarino-awa Water Ceremony” (gellery Hakuden, Kyoto) in 2015, presented the exhibition “Omizue: Iwamino-kamito-mizu” (Iwami Art Museum, Shimane) in 2016, and “Kami” (Shiseido Gallery, Ginza) in 2017. With a unique sensibility, this group continues its research of handmade washi and natural fabric.
Period: March 20 (Sat) – May 16 (Sun), 2021
Venue: Iwami Art Museum Exhibition room C Shimane Arts Center “Grand Toit”
Opening Hours: 9:30-18:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Closed: Tuesdays *Open on May 4 (Tue.)
Entrance Fees:
Daily Tickets; Adults 1200(950)yen, College Students 600(450)yen, Middle, and High School Students 300(250)yenAdvance ticket; Adults 1000 yen, College Students 500 yen, Middle, and High School Students 200 yen
The admission listed above includes the exhibition “Fashion in Japan 1945-2020”.
*( ) is for groups of 20 or more
*Free admission for school visits for elementary, middle and high school students.
*Free admission for holders of the Disabled Person’s Handbook or the Atomic Bomb Survivors Handbook and person assisting (limited to one person).
*Advance Tickets available at Lawson stores (L Code 62313) and Grand Toit General Information Counter.
Organized by; Iwami Art Museum, Shimane; The National Art Center, Tokyo; The Yomiuri Shimbun; Culture Foundation of Shimane Prefecture; Nihonkai Telecasting Co.,Ltd; The San-in Chuo Simpo Newspaper Co.,Ltd; The Chugoku Shimbun; Agency for Cultural Affairs; Japan Arts Council
Supported by; Council to interact with art and culture; JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION MATSUE STATION
Reiwa 2nd year Japan Expo sponsored and co-sponsored project
Also on: “Fashion In Japan 1945-2020 --- Mode and Society” Exhibition room A & D
The exhibition will reexamine Japanese fashion from the postwar to the present. It will look to the future of fashion by examining both designers and their consumers, as well as the various media that bring the two together.
We will invite Shinichiro Yoshida, the contemporary artist and director of the Research Center for Early-modern Hemp, who collects and researches natural fabrics with a focus on hemp cloth, and Yasushi Inomoto, who has moved to Kamiseya in Miyazu, Kyoto, the hometown of fuji cloth, in order to preserve its tradition, to hear about their work and research.
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2021 14:00-16:00
Venue: Lecture Room
Capacity: 25(by order of application)
Fee: Free Admission
Speakers: Shinichiro Yoshida (Director of the Research Center for Early-modern Hemp), Yasushi Inomoto (Advisor to the Tango Fuji-ori Preservation Society)
Moderators or Facilitators: Kogei Punks Sha(Yukinori Maeda, Sumiko Ishii)
Date: April 10(Sat.), May 16(Sun.),2021 14:00-
Venue: Exhibition room C
Capacity: 10(by order of application)
Fee: Free Admission(however, an exhibition ticket or museum passport is required)
◎ To prevent the spread of COVID19, the exhibition-related programs will only allow half the capacity originally announced. We kindly ask you to follow the following rules. Please make sure to wear a mask, consent to have your temperature taken and provide your emergency information upon entering the museum.
◎ Please understand that opening hours and conditions of museum facilities, exhibition schedules and related programs, etc. may change or be cancelled.
◎ Please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.
◎ Iwami Kotsu Bus: Get off at “Grand Toit Mae” bus stop (a 1 minute walk).
◎ A 15 minute walk from JR Masuda Station.
◎ A 15 minute bus ride using the airport bus from Hagi-Iwami Airport to JR Masuda Station.
◎ A 50 minute drive from the Hamada Interchange on the Hamada Expressway.
◎ A 90 minute train ride from JR Shin Yamaguchi Station to JR Masuda Station.
※Free parking available(240 parking spaces)
Iwami Art Museum (Shimane Arts Center “Grand Toit”)
5-15 Ariake-cho, Masuda-shi, Shimane-ken, 698-0022 JAPAN
TEL: +81-856-31-1860 FAX: +81-856-31-1884
E-mail zaidan@grandtoit.jp http:// www.grandtoit.jp/