Special Exhibition "Atelier Shimura's Cherry Blossoms"
Speaking of spring, of course, cherry blossoms come to mind. For us, cherry blossoms are the origin of plant dyeing, and through Makoto Ooka's book "The Power of Words," the story of dyeing and weaving artist Fukumi Shimura's cherry blossom dyeing became widely known.
Going back in time, admiration for cherry blossoms can be seen in many waka poems from the Heian period. For example, Ariwara no Narihira's waka poem and the poem that is said to be his reply poem beautifully express the dual nature of the Japanese aesthetic sense toward cherry blossoms.
If the world were free of cherry blossoms, the spirit of spring would be more peaceful. (Ariwara no Narihira / Kokin Wakashu)
If there were no cherry blossoms in the world, how peaceful and calm would people's hearts be during the spring? (It is only because of the cherry blossoms that we are anxious about when they will bloom and when they will fall that our hearts become restless.)
The cherry blossoms are all the more beautiful when they fall. What will last forever in this sad world? (Anonymous / Reply poem)
(No, no, they don't bloom forever) It is precisely because they fall that cherry blossoms become even more beautiful. In this harsh world, is there anything that never changes? (It is their falling that is so moving.)
There is a feeling of nostalgia for the cherry blossoms, but also a feeling of admiration for their beauty precisely because they fall. I believe this duality is what makes cherry blossoms so special. We too have incorporated the eternal beauty of cherry blossoms and the sense of impermanence into the colors of the cherry blossoms. We hope you will take the time to view them.
Atelier Shimura Representative Masashi Shimura
▪️Event Overview
Date and time: Friday, March 6th - Tuesday, April 14th, 12:00-17:30, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
Venue: Atelier Shimura Gallery & School, Setagaya, Tokyo
6-17-7 Soshigaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Exhibition and sale items: New cherry blossom kimono, rolls of fabric, cherry blossom obiage and obijime, small kimono accessories, etc.
For inquiries, please contact: tel: 03-6411-1215 or email: gallery@ateliershimura.co.jp
<Exhibition and sales products>
We will be exhibiting and selling a variety of hand-woven products made from threads that have been dyed after being slowly boiled using branches and trunks of cherry trees received from all over the country .
Our new eboshi kimono features warp stripes in varying shades of cherry blossom pink, interwoven with shadings of cherry blossoms and purple, creating a piece that seems to embrace spring. The plain-colored fabric allows you to feel the tranquil beauty of cherry blossoms with your whole body. We also offer obiage and obijime, each with a different dyed look. Please choose your favorite color. We also hope that the accessories made from small pieces of fabric will also evoke the feeling of spring. They also make wonderful gifts for loved ones.
We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a talk event with Hanako Takayama of Meiji University. Our connection with Hanako Takayama began with the new Noh play "Okimiya," based on a novel by Michiko Ishimure and with costume supervision by Fukumi Shimura. Since then, through readings by Michiko Ishimure and other events, we have deepened our mutual reflections on the connection between stories and "color."
Recently, Takayama published a book entitled "The Sorrow of the World - A Tentative Analysis of the Complete Trilogy of 'Kugai Jodo'," which explores Ishimure's masterpiece, " Kugai Jodo." At this event, he will explore the world of Ishimure's works, which are also connected to this book, and unravel the images of flowers and cherry blossoms that bloom there. We hope to share with you the landscape of this story woven by words and colors. Please come and join us.
Date and time: Sunday, March 8th, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue: Atelier Shimura Gallery & School, Setagaya, Tokyo
Number of people recruiting: 12 people
Participation fee: 2,200 yen (tax included)
*The first half will be a lecture by Hanako Takayama, and the second half will be a session with Masashi Shimura. There will also be time for questions and answers.
*A portion of the talk event will be streamed on YouTube at a later date.
Hanako Takayama
Originally from Date City, Hokkaido, he specializes in French philosophy. He received his PhD (Academic) from the University of Tokyo in May 2020. He will become an assistant professor at Meiji University's School of Science and Technology in April 2025. His most recent work includes the solo publication "The Sorrow of the World: A Trial Analysis of 'Kugai Jodo' in Three Parts" (Getsuyosha, 2025).
For details and to apply, click here
◼︎Related Workshops
During the period, we will be offering workshops on cherry blossom dyeing and weaving using cherry blossom dyed thread.
When you burn the branches and trunks of cherry blossoms just before they bloom, you can enjoy a sweet fragrance like sakura mochi and a soft, elegant color. Enjoy spring dyeing while being enveloped in the color and fragrance of cherry blossoms.
An encounter of light, wind and color - A half-day cherry blossom dyeing course
Playing the Sound of Threads - One-Day Sakura Dyeing and Weaving Course
*We are also planning to hold cherry blossom dyeing and weaving workshops in April and May.
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