Masamichi Terada

Kakishibu   柿渋

Japanese art of dyeing with persimmon tannin

Touching Stone Gallery is privileged to show the new work of Masamichi Terada, master kakishibu artist and author on this traditional Japanese art of dyeing with persimmon tannin. Kaki-shibu, meaning 'persimmon-bitter', is a natural dye prepared from the fermented juice of unripe persimmons. Kakishibu is not for artists seeking instant gratification. Persimmon juice must be aged for two to five years to acquire its beautiful warm colors. Unlike other dyes such as the more popular indigo, kakishibu not only adds colors, it actually coats the materials with a protective film that makes the materials water-resistant.

Kakishibu was one of the most widely used preservative and weather-proofing agents in Japan since the Heian Period (782 – 1182 AD). Kakishibu-dyed paper was used for everyday items from umbrellas to food containers, and even for decorating traditional Japanese rooms, giving them quiet warm hues that become more beautiful with age. Because of its non-toxic nature, kakishibu was also the material of choice for treating ‘sake pouches’ (Pouches used for filtering unrefined sake in the manufacture process). However, since the Second World War, kakishibu has largely been supplanted by modern paints and chemicals. The ancient art of dyeing with kakishibu appeared to be on its way to extinction when it attracted the attention of Masamichi Terada.

Masamichi Terada (b. 1935) graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. He started his career as a designer for Minolta Camera. One day his wife brought home some old kakishibu-dyed sake pouches. Intrigued by the subtle beauty of the material, Terada wanted to learn how the material was created. He soon realized that the knowledge of kakishibu-dyeing was not readily available. He decided to devote his life to study and preserve kakishibu-dyeing as an art form. In 1984, he founded the Terada Product Design company specializing in this medium. In 1995, he opened a gallery and studio in Hyogo Prefecture and has since immersed himself in this ancient art form. He authored two publications on kakishibu-dyeing techniques. He taught and organized workshops to pass on his knowledge, and has been invited to speak on the subject in lectures and television presentations.

Terada has been creating highly original works using a variety of techniques. Some designs are created with stencils (katazome), others are meticulously painted by hand. Another technique is to draw with a cone (tsutsugaki) containing a dye-resistant paste to create negative images. Through his creative works, Terada has elevated kakishibu from a utilitarian medium to an art form that blurs the line between functionality and art. The current show highlights a spectacular body of work which includes norens, tapestries, and washi-covered bamboo baskets that showcase the artist's mastery of this extraordinary medium.

Addendum: Sadly, Mr. Terada passed away on December 15, 2015. This show is dedicated retrospectively to honor Mr. Terada.

Click on images to view selected pieces

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