Masamichi Terada

Kakishibu   柿渋

Traditional Japanese art of dyeing with persimmon tannin

August 31 - September 26, 2007

Touching Stone Gallery is privileged to host the first exhibition in America of kakishibu art by 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.

In addition to teaching kakishibu techniques, Terada has established himself as a leading artist in this medium, producing original works that blur the line between functionality and art. He uses several techniques to create designs on his works. Some are hand painted. Others are created with stencils (katazome). One of his favorite techniques is drawing with dye-resistant paste from a cone (tsutsugaki) to create negative images. The current show features a body of Terada's most recent works, including norens, tapestries, fabrics, and bamboo baskets decorated with kakishibu-dyed washi paper.

Click on images to view selected pieces

To order call 505-988-8072, see Inquiry/Order

Noren  Forsythia No. 5 (2007)   93" x 35.5"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, tsutsugaki

 (Inset: Detail)

Sold

Noren  Thistle No. 1 (2006)   59" x 33"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments

(Inset: Detail)

Sold

Noren  Pampas No. 4 (2006)   59" x 34"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, tsutsugaki

(Inset: Detail)

Noren  Enzo No. 6 (2006)   59" x 35"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, tsutsugaki

(Inset: Detail)

 Sold

Noren  Pine No. 7 (2005)  36" x 35.5"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, tsutsugaki

Tapestry  Yamaboshi No. 8 (2007)   43" x 23.5"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, tsutsugaki

(Inset: Detail)

Sold

Tapestry  Ivy No. 10 (2006)   42" x 24"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, resist

(Inset: Detail)

Sold

Tapestry  Forsythia No. 9 (2007)   52" x 18"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, resist

Sold

Tapestry  Orchids No. 12 (2007)   42.5" x 18"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, tsutsugaki

Sold

Tapestry  Grass No. 17 (2006)  32.5" x 7.5"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, tsutsugaki

Sold

Tapestry  Bark No. 18 (2007)  32.5" x 7.5"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, tsutsugaki

Sold

Tapestry  Poppies No. 19 (2006)  34" x 12.5"

Cotton, kakishibu w/ colored pigments, tsutsugaki

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Tapestry  Lilies No. 28 (2006)   41" x 14.5"

Linen, kakishibu w/ colored pigments, resist

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Basket  Forest No. 34 (2006)   18.5"d x 12"h

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, colored pigments, katazome & hand-painted

Basket  Thistles No. 39 (2006)   10"d x 11"h

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, katazome

Sold

Basket  Lines No. 36 (2006)   10"d x 5.5"h

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, tsutsugaki

Basket  Black & Red No. 35 (2006)   10"d x 5.5"h

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, katazome

Sold

Basket  Lines No. 40 (2006)   7" x 7" x 5"h

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu w/ modifiers, tsutsugaki

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Tray  Sunkirai No. 41 (2006)   14.5" x 6"

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, modifiers, pigments

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Tray  Dokudami No. 42 (2006)   14.5" x 6"

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, modifiers, pigments

Sold

Platter  Arabesque No. 43 (2006)   12" x 9.5"

Washi-covered bamboo, kakishibu, katazome

Sold

Runner  Continuum No. 21 (2006)   73" x 16.5"

Hemp, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments

Runner  Diamonds No. 22 (2006)   57" x 17.5"

Linen, kakishibu w/ modifiers, colored pigments, katazome

Sold

Runner  Shaga No. 23 (2007)    88" x 21"

Silk, kakishibu w/ modifiers, katazome

Shawl  Orchids No. 33 (2007)   110" x 43.5"

Silk organdy, kakishibu w/ modifiers, resist

Sold

Masamichi Terada at his studio (Photo courtesy of the artist)

1996   Gallery Musouan, Kyoto

           Aoyama Art Space, Tokyo

1997   Gallery Musouan, Kyoto

           Suganami, Tokyo

1998   Imai Garou, Fukuyama

           Yuki Gallery, Okayama

           Honmachi Sousaku-jin-mura, Mita

1999   Hankyu Department Store, Kawanishi

           Kintetsu Department Store, Hirakata

           Takarazuka Art Square, Takarazuka

2001   Daimaru Department Store, Kobe

2002   Hankyu Department Store, Osaka

           Daimaru Department Store, Kobe

2003   Daimaru Department Store, Kobe

           Daimaru Department Store, Osaka

2004   Gallery Yasokawa, Kobe

           Daimaru Department Store, Kobe

2006   Gallery Yasokawa, Kobe

2007   Touching Stone gallery, Santa Fe, USA

Presentations & Publications 

1998   Introduction to Kakishibu. Senshoku Alpha Magazine.

1999   Lecture: Kakishibu, NHK Kobe Bunka Center

2000   Kakishibu Craft: Techniques of Kakishibu Dyeing. Kodama-sha Publisher. Yokyo, Japan.

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